According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.
The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to finalize a deal.
Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.
The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.
However, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.
"He is the individual who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."
An Unusual Period
"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."
Should Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game in charge.
"That's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match 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 stems from the positive run during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland during European competition.
Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.
Restoration of Confidence
"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."
Thoughts on the Future
When asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.
"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."
"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."
"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."
A Potential Advisory Position?
On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.
"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."
TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.
"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."
