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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership match versus Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now appears ready to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to 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 remains paperwork still to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side with some self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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