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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six wins out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."