🔗 Share this article

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, securing six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will manage the team in the midweek league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man that will be taking over," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture of course but good luck to him. At least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."