By:
Mark Hendry
Martin O’Neill will return to Celtic Park on Saturday for the first time since leaving the club.
The Irishman had been the Hoops’ interim boss following the resignation of Brendan Rodgers back in October.
O’Neill helped steady the ship and won seven of the eight matches he took charge of.
It was a successful period for the club and manager who already held legendary status with the fans.
Some punters urged Celts to keep hold of O’Neill until the end of the season.
But they moved for Wilfried Nancy and opted to bring the Frenchman in despite coming to the biggest week of their campaign.
That was with a top of the table clash vs Hearts, Europa League tie vs Roma and a cup final vs St Mirren.
Martin O’Neill returning to Celtic Park
Nancy lost all three and then suffered defeat to Dundee United to endure the worst start to a Celtic manager’s career in history.
That form had supporters clamouring for O’Neill to return again.
And he will oblige on Saturday before Celtic face old rivals Rangers, just not in the way some might have hoped.
The 73-year-old will be working for Sky Sports as part of the broadcasters’ punditry team.
O’Neill is no stranger to the analysis game having worked plenty of matches in the television studios.
He also enjoys a regular spot on talkSPORT’s radio show alongside Jim White and Simon Jordan.
However, a slip for Nancy and Celtic could potentially make things awkward for the veteran manager.
Earlier this term during his side’s loss to Dundee United at Tannadice, Nancy had to listen to fans singing for O’Neill from the stands.
And losing to Gers at a packed out Parkhead could potentially lead to the same issue.
How Celtic players feel about Wilfried Nancy
It would then force O’Neill to discuss the same in front of the cameras.
O’Neill has backed Nancy publicly and urged the fanbase to get on board with the new gaffer.
But it only takes one poor result – especially derby day – for the knives to come out again, and sharper.
His last gift to the support was a 1-0 victory for Celtic over Dundee in Glasgow.
Striker Johnny Kenny thrived under O’Neill but is currently struggling in front of goal.
And even although Kenny revealed the squad are behind Nancy, it has been a sticky period.
A win over Rangers would go a long way towards settling the supporters where their boss is concerned.
So the two wins in a row – over Aberdeen and Livingston respectively – have come at a good time.
Categories
- Athletics (5)
- Aussie Rules (1)
- Basketball (12)
- Camogie (3)
- College American football (1)
- Combat (185)
- Cricket (17)
- Cycling (4)
- Darts (36)
- Editors-picks (13)
- Football (1210)
- Formula-1 (14)
- GAA (308)
- Golf (162)
- Hockey (1)
- Horse Racing (172)
- interviews (3)
- LGFA (3)
- MLB Baseball (2)
- NFL (23)
- ROI Radar (1)
- Rowing (1)
- Rugby (188)
- Snooker (6)
- Swimming (3)
- Tennis (17)
- Uncategorized (17)
- WWE (1)
