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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and now appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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