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

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently seems poised to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him well. At least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections 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 am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."