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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now seems poised to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual that will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

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 actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run in matches over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the job."

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

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."