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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he is to oversee the team in the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the positive run during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."