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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over four weeks since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second stint in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he is to lead the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

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

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."