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

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he will manage the team in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game in charge.

"That's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run in matches over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

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

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That decision is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."