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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man that will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and good luck to him. At least he takes over a team with some confidence."

The team's morale comes from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."