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

The head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his return in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person who will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side with some self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure their first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."