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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a team with some self-belief."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."