As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.
Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to complete a contract.
Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.
The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.
However, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.
"He is the individual that will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."
An Unusual Period
"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."
Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.
"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."
The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.
Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.
Rebuilding Belief
"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."
What Comes Next
When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.
"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think about things after Wednesday evening."
"It was not simple," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."
"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, interacting with young people daily."
A Potential Advisory Position?
On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.
"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the job."
Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.
"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."
