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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over a month since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win in his first match as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him well. At least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."