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

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently appears ready to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person set to be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

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

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."