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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six victories out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to lead the team for the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with some confidence."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the job."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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