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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."