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

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and now looks set to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."