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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to complete a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six wins in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will manage Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."