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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person that will be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and good luck to him. At least he inherits a team full of confidence."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three matches left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt 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 gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."