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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

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

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run during games in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, interacting with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

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

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."