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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month since the previous manager departed, securing six victories in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to manage Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He is the man set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side with some confidence."

That confidence is a result of the positive run during games in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, with three matches left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. 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 breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."