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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month ever since the previous manager resigned, securing six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his return in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and good luck to him. At least he takes over a side with some confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success in matches 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- Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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