🔗 Share this article

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now looks set to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six wins out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At least he's getting a team with some confidence."

This self-belief stems from the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."