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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now appears ready to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person who will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

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

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly 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 refresh personally in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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