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

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now appears ready to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to a League Cup final spot.

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

But, O'Neill stated he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual set to be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a side full of confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."