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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second stint in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally but I wish him well. At least he's getting a team full of confidence."

That confidence comes from the positive run during games over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."