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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his first match in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss and his players were then able to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that 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 gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in several respects, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."