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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now appears ready to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side in the Europa League.

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

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

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

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."