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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost a week and now looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over four weeks since the previous manager departed, notching six victories out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his return in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run during games in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

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

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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