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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently seems poised to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to lead the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person set to be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

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

If Celtic defeat their opponents and Hearts see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his first match as manager.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run during games in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

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

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

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."