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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now appears ready to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six wins in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his first match in charge.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him well. At least he's getting a side full of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to achieve a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of 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 things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."