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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 during Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and now seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been surreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but I wish him well. At least he's getting a side with some confidence."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success during games in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to secure a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."