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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now appears ready to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, notching six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the person that will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there's some formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side with some confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run on the field in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players then bounced back to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."