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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now seems poised to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Hibernian – 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 manage Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual that will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team with some confidence."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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