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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently appears ready to complete a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he is to manage Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He is the man that will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his first match as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

That confidence stems 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 European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve their first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."