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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

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

O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his return in charge.

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

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his first match in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At least he's getting a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the positive run in matches in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to carry on in management 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 major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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