Martin O'Neill says Wilfried Nancy will be in charge of Celtic for Hearts game

Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill says Wednesday’s game against Dundee will be his last in the dugout before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

The Frenchman is expected to take charge of his first match in the top-of-the-table clash with Hearts this weekend as he becomes the club’s permanent boss.

O’Neill took over as caretaker after Brendan Rodgers departed from Celtic Park in October, and he has led the team to six wins from seven games.

Columbus Crew boss Nancy was the man earmarked as a permanent replacement, with some initially expecting him to be announced this week, but a delay in paperwork means O’Neill’s final game will be against Dundee.

When asked about Nancy, O’Neill told TalkSport: “He is the man who will be coming in.

“I thought it was over on Sunday, but there’s some paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my final game.

“It’s been surreal. 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 Celtic beat Dundee, and Hearts also win midweek, then the Hoops will have the chance to leapfrog the Edinburgh side at the weekend.

And O’Neill insists that will be a good starting point for the new man who he says will be inheriting a team that is growing in confidence.

He said: “It’s a nice one for him, a nice introduction.

“It will be a difficult game, of course, and naturally I wish him well. At least he’s getting a side with a bit of confidence.”