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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins in seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At least he's getting a side with some self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the positive run on the field over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."