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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At least he's getting a side with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."