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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run on the field over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad were then able to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

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

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."