According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.
Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.
Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.
The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second stint in charge.
However, O'Neill stated he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy takes over.
"He's the individual set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."
"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."
If the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match in charge.
"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side full of confidence."
The team's morale comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.
Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.
"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."
When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to continue in management going forward.
"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."
"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."
"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people every day."
Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Nancy.
"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the role."
TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.
"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."
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