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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently appears ready to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will manage the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a side full of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the positive run during games in the last five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."