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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win in his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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