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

The manager has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run during games over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to claim their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

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

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."