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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his return at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, with three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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