🔗 Share this article

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

The head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to lead Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match as manager.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with some self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a major worry. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."