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

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his return in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead the team for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – 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've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview 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 responded. "Don't be ridiculous."