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

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a side with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."