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

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in 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 caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team for the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the person set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side with some confidence."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to achieve a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked 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 reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."