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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now seems poised to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to lead the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win during his first match in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief stems from the positive run during games in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. 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 working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad 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 full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."