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

The manager has been involved in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there remains formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and good luck to him. At least he takes over a team with some confidence."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to secure a first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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