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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now seems poised to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

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

Should the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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