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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over a month ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual set to be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We have given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

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

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."