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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief stems from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."