As soon as the preliminary shock at his return handed, many Celtic followers could have been happy to see the membership legend return.

The Celtic powerbrokers, who’ve been engulfed in warmth from the followers, knew what they have been doing with this one.

O’Neill was even in a position tip Hearts for the title – and stand by his prediction – and never have his fame tarnished.

Even when issues hadn’t gone to script on Sunday – or at any stage throughout his interim tenure – his place in membership folklore is mounted. However a semi-final victory towards Rangers has actually lifted spirits.

Supporters sought out the songbook from 20 years in the past and serenaded him on the nationwide stadium. It was simply one other surreal second in a surreal week.

O’Neill does not have the identical calibre of participant to name upon as he did in his first spell. There isn’t a Lubo Moravcik, no Neil Lennon, no Henrik Larsson.

However there’s a group of gamers eager to show their price.

Outdoors of the aforementioned McGregor and Kieran Tierney, the 4 others concerned in Celtic’s objectives – scorers Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand and suppliers Arne Engels and Auston Trusty – have been latterly not favoured by Rodgers.

Whether or not O’Neill sticks round for the ultimate or not, he has at worst supplied a path for gamers who in any other case might need been rocking up suited and booted and seated within the stands.

On that be aware of apparel, the ultimate point out on this mad week should go to 73-year-old O’Neill’s matchday match.

The sight of the him adorning an Adidas Originals tracksuit on the touchline was as shocking as the rest out of Parkhead this week.

“The opposite tracksuit was actually tight nylon,” defined O’Neill of what he wore towards Falkirk. “I seemed like Robin Hood!”

A classic search for a classic supervisor, who would possibly simply be searching the shirt and tie and circling 14 December on the calendar.