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

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now looks set to complete a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual that will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team with some confidence."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

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