🔗 Share this article

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now appears ready to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Easter Road – 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 the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

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

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked 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's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."