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

The manager has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now looks set to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad were then able to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the job."

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

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."