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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently seems poised to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He is the person set to be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side with some confidence."

That confidence comes from the positive run on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."