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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, achieving six wins in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there remains formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players then bounced back to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given the team a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

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

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."