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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic during Sunday's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and now looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with some confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results during games in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."