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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six victories out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the person who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat their opponents while the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the minute 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 in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."