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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

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

But, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim 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.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. 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."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."