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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost seven days and now appears ready to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than four weeks since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a team full of confidence."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to secure their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."