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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic for Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over a month since the previous manager departed, securing six wins out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been surreal," 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."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side with some confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything after Wednesday evening."

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

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the breach."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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