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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently seems poised to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual who will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team with some confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to achieve a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this 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 new lease on life for me in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."