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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

The manager has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now looks set to complete a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over a month since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a team full of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the positive run on the field over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish manager and his players then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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