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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He is the person set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

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

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."