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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win during his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

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

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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