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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat their opponents while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."