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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second spell in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course and good luck to him. At least he's getting a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."