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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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