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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side full of confidence."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the former Irish manager and his players then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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