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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person set to be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there remains formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team full of confidence."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing 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's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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