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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now looks set to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six wins out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to lead Celtic in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the person set to be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"That's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We have given the team a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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