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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost seven days and now seems poised to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his return in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success on the field in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."