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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now looks set to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man set to be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side with some confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back 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 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

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

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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