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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now looks set to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second stint in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there's some formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat their opponents while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team full of confidence."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on in management in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

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

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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