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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now appears ready to complete a contract.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his debut game in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

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

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."