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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the person set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

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

If Celtic defeat their opponents while Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side with some confidence."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."