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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his return in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given the team a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."