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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side with some confidence."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success during games in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given the team a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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