🔗 Share this article

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, notching six wins out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team for the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there remains formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the positive run on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to secure their first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We have given the team a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "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 managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."