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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic during Sunday's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over a month since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a team with some confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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