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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there's some formalities still to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his first match as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the positive run on the field over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players were then able to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."