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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his return in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win during his first match as manager.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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