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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently seems poised to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six wins out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the club to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the table if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match naturally and good luck to him. At least he's getting a team with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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