Nancy Will Take Charge for the Glasgow Giants in the Coming Days - Martin O'Neill

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence comes from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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