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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now appears ready to complete a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the club to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual that will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

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

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