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Per the words of 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 manager has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently looks set to complete a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since the previous manager resigned, securing six victories out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with some self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve 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 said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."