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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently seems poised to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and good luck to him. At least he's getting a team with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to secure their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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