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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now appears ready to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks since the previous manager departed, notching six victories in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man who will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally and good luck to him. At least he's getting a team full of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

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

"I've learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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