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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his first match as manager.

"It'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 takes over a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

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

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, working 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 Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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