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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 during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach 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 held the role of interim boss for over a month since the previous manager departed, securing six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second stint in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual set to be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team full of confidence."

That confidence stems from the positive run on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."