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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now seems poised to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories in seven games, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He is the man set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

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

Should the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."