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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now seems poised to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side with some confidence."

This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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