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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual that will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run on the field over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that 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 consideration about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."