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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person that will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his first match as manager.

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

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

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

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."