The problem this time around was that he didn’t have anywhere near the same standard of player, nor was there harmony at the club. Open fan revolt. Poor recruitment. A stiff challenge from a new-look Hearts.
And yet O’Neill couldn’t say no to Celtic. After back-to-back domestic defeats at the end of Rodgers’ reign, his fellow Northern Irishman embarked on a run of five league wins and a League Cup semi-final victory over Rangers.
Calamitously, the club thanked O’Neill for his renewed service and pressed ahead with the appointment of Wilfried Nancy in December.
O’Neill was back by January, trying to preside over a chaotic transfer window while picking up the pieces of a badly damaged league campaign. Celtic were level with Rangers but six points behind Hearts.
They very nearly went out of the Scottish Cup at home against Dundee but O’Neill’s Celtic are made of strong stuff. Junior Adamu’s late, late equaliser effectively paved the way for the sun-lit Hampden triumph the club has just enjoyed.
The cup, however, is mere icing on the cake. The bigger feat was defending their league title. O’Neill achieved it with a win rate of well over 80 per cent. Here are his Premiership numbers: played 23, won 19, drawn two, lost two.
Impressive by any standards. But, amid a season of flux and chaos in Glasgow’s east end, they are utterly remarkable.
By common consent, this is a Celtic squad well past its sell-by date. But O’Neill’s man-management skills have won them two big trophies when neither looked particularly likely.
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