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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he is to lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to secure a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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