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

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now appears ready to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At least he inherits a side with some confidence."

The team's morale stems from the positive run on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. 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."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."