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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he is to lead Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents while Hearts see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side full of confidence."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."