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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the positive run during games in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – 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've got some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."