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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," 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 perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."