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

The head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now looks set to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person that will be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win in his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."