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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 for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently seems poised to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than four weeks since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second spell in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a team full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

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

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."