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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now seems poised to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man set to be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there remains formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

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

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."