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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his return in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his first match as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief stems from the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, with three matches left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."