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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

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

Should the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad were then able to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

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

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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