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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but good luck to him. At least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

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

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

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."