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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost a week and now appears ready to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, notching six wins out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he is to manage Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man set to be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At least he inherits a side full of confidence."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."