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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. 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."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results during games over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

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

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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