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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man who will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side full of confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

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

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."