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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently appears ready to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man that will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side with some confidence."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to achieve a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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