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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic for Sunday's Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently looks set to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and good luck to him. At least he takes over a side with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players then bounced back to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."