🔗 Share this article

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

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently looks set to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories in seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will lead the team for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the table if they win during his debut game in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team full of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Irish manager and his players then bounced back to achieve a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."