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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table if they win during his debut game in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players then bounced back to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

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

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."