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

The manager has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now appears ready to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team in Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his first match in charge.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of confidence."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."