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

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there remains formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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