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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently seems poised to complete a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

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

Should Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but I wish him well. At least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success on the field in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham 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 remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."