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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently seems poised to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At least he inherits a side full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."