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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there's some formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"That's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At least he takes over a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

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

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That decision is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."