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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now looks set to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six wins in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his first match in charge.

"That's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him well. At least he's getting a team with some confidence."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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