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

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now looks set to complete a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his first match as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

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

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."