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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At least he takes over a team with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players then bounced back to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."