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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual that will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a team with some confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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