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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team with some self-belief."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

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

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the job."

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

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."