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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture of course but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything following 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 many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."