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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win in his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At least he takes over a team with some confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure their first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."