🔗 Share this article

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second spell in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee the team in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He is the person that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At least he inherits a team full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results 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 former Irish manager along with his squad were then able to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – that 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've learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."