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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second stint in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success in matches in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."