🔗 Share this article

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second spell in charge.

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

"He's the man who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At least he inherits a side with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We have given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

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