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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month since the previous manager departed, notching six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game as manager.

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with some confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."