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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now appears ready to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his return at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man set to be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win in his first match in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At least he inherits a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which 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 have learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That decision is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."