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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories in seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He is the man set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"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? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win during his first match in charge.

"That's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side with some self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."