According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.
Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to complete a deal.
Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.
The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second spell at the helm.
Yet, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.
"He's the individual that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."
"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Without a doubt."
If the Hoops defeat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his first match as manager.
"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side full of self-belief."
This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.
Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.
"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."
When asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.
"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."
"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other managers."
"I have learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, working with young players every day."
Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.
"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."
TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.
"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."
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