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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team full of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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