🔗 Share this article

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now seems poised to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six wins out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He is the person that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."