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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now looks set to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than a month since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to lead the team in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side full of confidence."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to claim their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, 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 stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

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

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

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

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