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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now appears ready to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 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 return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the man that will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table with a victory in his debut game in charge.

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a team with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."