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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second stint in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side full of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the positive run in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management going forward.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the job."

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

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."