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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic during Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now looks set to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results during games in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

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

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

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