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

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now looks set to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, securing six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a team full of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run during games over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with 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 with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to 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 at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

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

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."