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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 Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently looks set to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At least he's getting a side with some confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other managers."

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

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."