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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture versus 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 contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks since the previous manager departed, notching six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the person who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some formalities still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game in charge.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side full of confidence."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts 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 honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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