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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost a week and currently looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his return in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."