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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now appears ready to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

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

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

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