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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 versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now appears ready to complete a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead the team for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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