🔗 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.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team in the midweek league encounter with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man set to be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At least he's getting a side with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad were then able to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."