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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and now looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over four weeks since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual who will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win during his debut game in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."