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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team in the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person that will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but good luck to him. At least he's getting a team full of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."