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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since the previous manager resigned, securing six wins in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match in charge.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At least he's getting a team with some confidence."

This self-belief comes from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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