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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his return in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy 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 steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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