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

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

That confidence stems from the positive run during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at the Danish side 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 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That decision is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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