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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now appears ready to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month ever since the previous manager departed, securing six victories in seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his first match in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players then bounced back to secure their first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of 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 have given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."