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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 match against Hearts.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since the previous manager departed, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the person that will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side full of confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay at all. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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