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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, notching six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side full of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to secure a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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