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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership clash against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month ever since the previous manager resigned, securing six wins out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with some confidence."

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

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, with three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the breach."

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

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."