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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish manager along with his squad were then able to secure a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

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