🔗 Share this article

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual set to be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

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

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team full of confidence."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results during games over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad were then able to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his time 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 admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."