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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the table if they win during his first match as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team with some confidence."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."