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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently looks set to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."