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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his return in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there remains formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting 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 City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."