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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now looks set to complete a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will manage Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh personally in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

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

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