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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, securing six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second stint in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side with some confidence."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success during games in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad were then able to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

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

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."