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

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost a week and now appears ready to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, securing six wins out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the man set to be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success in matches in the last five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

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

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"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 gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."