🔗 Share this article

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there remains formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

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

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."