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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to complete a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second stint in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will manage the team for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

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

If Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players were then able to secure their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."