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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."