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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than four weeks since the previous manager departed, notching six wins in seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his return at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee the team in the midweek league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

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

If Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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