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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over a month ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six wins in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against 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's getting a team full of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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