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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with some confidence."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success on the field in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

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

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."