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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual who will be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."