🔗 Share this article

As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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