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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

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

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as many other managers."

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

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."