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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now appears ready to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will manage the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At least he takes over a side with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."