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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six victories out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second spell in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, however there remains formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side with some confidence."

This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

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