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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now appears ready to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, securing six victories in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his return at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game in charge.

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

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."