Martin O'Neill praised the Celtic players for their "terrific" response to his demands as he prepared for what would "definitely" be his final game in charge.
The 73-year-old has been assured that Wilfried Nancy will take over between home games against Dundee and Hearts this week.
The former Leicester manager had publicly questioned the physicality of Celtic, hours before being offered the interim role in late October and felt they were in trouble in the title race after defeats by Dundee and Hearts.
But O'Neill is now looking to make it seven wins from eight games on Wednesday and leave Celtic in a strong position in the William Hill Premiership.
He has already taken them into the Premier Sports Cup final and left them with a platform to progress in the Europa League.
"I just think the nice thing about the players is that they have responded," he said. "And they've shown a willingness to try and implement some of the things that I think are important about the game.
"They've been great and I couldn't praise them highly enough.
"But we've got one more game to go. For me. They've got big, big matches ahead and those games are really important to them, but their response has been terrific.
"When I was watching Celtic from afar, you can form an opinion about players and then find out that when you're actually working with them, that's different, either good or bad.
"For instance, the captain (Callum McGregor). I thought from afar that the captain was a really good player. I didn't realise how good he is.
"Some players who have played almost every single minute of games here have been absolutely outstanding for us.
"And then you're getting to know some players. And I said to some of the lads, I mean (Michel-Ange) Balikwisha hasn't played under me. The next manager will step in, play him and find out he could be the best - and I've made that point to him.
"And that's for all of them. The incoming manager will have maybe a different opinion on some players that I would have. That does not mean I'm right."
O'Neill had been expected to make way for Nancy after Sunday's game against Hibernian until a bureaucratic issue delayed the Frenchman's arrival from Columbus Crew.
He said on the eve of the Dundee game: "You'll be relieved to know that this is definitely it for (Wednesday) evening. I've been assured of it by the board.
"So the new man will come in. I'm not sure in terms of the process, but I know that this is definitely my last game.
"A young gentleman's coming in and it's over to him. But obviously, we've got the big, big game here and obviously, I'd like to try and win it if we can.
"It won't be easy. Dundee did us a few weeks ago, so we've got a bit of a job on our hands."
Watch the draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport.
