🔗 Share this article

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now looks set to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to secure their first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

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

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."