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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic for Sunday's Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and now seems poised to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win in his first match in charge.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss and his players were then able to secure their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of 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 alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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