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

The manager has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and now seems poised to complete a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second stint in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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