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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now looks set to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his return at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him well. At least he inherits a team with some confidence."

The team's morale comes from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players then bounced back to secure their first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

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 carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

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

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."