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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership match against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and now seems poised to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since the previous manager departed, securing six wins out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his return at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his debut game as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him well. At least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the positive run during games over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to secure their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."