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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his return in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man set to be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a team with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to secure their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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