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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will manage Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man that will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table if they win during his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me 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 former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."