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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."