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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he is to lead Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man that will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

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

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management going forward.

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

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."