As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership match versus Hearts.
The manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.
O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.
The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.
Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.
"He's the individual who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my final game."
An Unusual Period
"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."
If the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture as manager.
"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team full of confidence."
That confidence is a result of the positive run on the field in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.
However, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.
A Confidence Boost
"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."
What Comes Next
When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.
"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."
"It was challenging," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."
"I've learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young players daily."
Consultancy Role?
On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.
"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his team 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 in the Dundee game.
"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."
