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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

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

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

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

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

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

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."