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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person that will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success in matches in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure their first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host 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 get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."