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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team for the midweek league encounter with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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