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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now appears ready to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to achieve their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

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

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."