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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, notching six victories out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person set to be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him well. At least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many 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, interacting with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."