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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now seems poised to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success during games in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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