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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently appears ready to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person who will be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

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

If Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win in his first match in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side with some self-belief."

That confidence stems from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given the team a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

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

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