🔗 Share this article

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to lead the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the moment he enters the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."