Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.
The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently seems poised to finalize an agreement.
Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.
The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.
But, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.
"He's the person set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there remains formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."
An Unusual Period
"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."
Should Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his first match in charge.
"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him well. At least he takes over a side with some self-belief."
That confidence stems from O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland during European competition.
However, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to secure a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.
Rebuilding Belief
"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."
What Comes Next
When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.
"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."
"It was challenging," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."
"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, working with young people every day."
Consultancy Role?
On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.
"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the breach."
TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.
"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."
