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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The head coach has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently appears ready to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic 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 his final act in his second stint at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person that will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run in matches over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about 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 alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."