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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now looks set to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man who will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a team with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast 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 alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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