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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his return at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there remains formalities still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."