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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now appears ready to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with some confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in several respects, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."