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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts.

The manager has been part of serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently appears ready to complete a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six wins in seven games, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he is to lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team with some confidence."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

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

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."