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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently looks set to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual set to be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success during games over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "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 terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."