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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win in his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him well. At least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

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

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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