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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win in his first match 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 and I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run during games in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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