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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a team with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players were then able to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."