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

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will manage the team in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person that will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We have given the team a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

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

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."