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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now seems poised to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with some confidence."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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