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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently appears ready to complete a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side full of confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."