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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently appears ready to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the positive run during games in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We've given the team a chance, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

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

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything after Wednesday evening."

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

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the breach."

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

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."