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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over a month since the previous manager resigned, achieving six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat their opponents while the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the breach."

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

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."