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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership match versus Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now appears ready to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, securing six victories out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second stint in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will manage the team for the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine 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 once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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