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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently appears ready to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man that will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side with some confidence."

That confidence is a result of the positive run during games over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."