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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now seems poised to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager departed, securing six wins in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win in his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At least he inherits a team with some confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to secure a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."