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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now appears ready to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second stint in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he is to oversee the team for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual that will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side with some confidence."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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