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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a team with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss and his players were then able to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally 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, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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