🔗 Share this article

As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he is to lead Celtic in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players were then able to achieve their first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That 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 is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."