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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 for this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to complete a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person set to be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results during games in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

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

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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