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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now looks set to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with some confidence."

That confidence comes from the positive run during games in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that 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 much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of 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 should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

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

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."