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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given the team a chance, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

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