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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his return in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual who will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his first match as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."