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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will manage the team in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person that will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

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

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts see off 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.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team full of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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