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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of confidence."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do 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 has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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