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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently looks set to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a team full of confidence."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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