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

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now seems poised to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win in his debut game as manager.

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

This self-belief is a result of the positive run in matches over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given the team a chance, there are three matches left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

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

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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