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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he is to oversee the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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