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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month ever since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will lead the team in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a team full of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."