🔗 Share this article

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person set to be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," 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've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win in his first match as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence comes from the positive run in matches over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

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

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."