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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to complete a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side full of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

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

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