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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to complete a deal.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins in seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during 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 but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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