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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 fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At least he's getting a team with some confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the breach."

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

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