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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person who will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side with some confidence."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."