Not too long ago, I admitted to having concerns that Martin O’Neill might risk tarnishing his legacy at Celtic, given the difficult position the club found itself in at the time. This time, those fears simply are not there.
O’Neill’s return for another spell in charge should not alter how he is remembered, regardless of what happens next. The responsibility now lies squarely with the Celtic board.
O’Neill will give everything he has to drag the team back into the Premiership title picture, but he cannot work miracles. There is a clear limit to what any manager can achieve without proper backing, and if this season is to have a positive conclusion, support from above will be essential.
If the team fall short, it may register as a footnote in the record books, but the blame will not rest with him. O’Neill will undoubtedly make Celtic tougher to face, especially compared to the chaotic approach seen under Wilfried Nancy. However, the structural weaknesses that have plagued the side all season still exist, and fixing them requires serious action from those running the club.
O’Neill has not publicly confirmed whether assurances were given about funds for new signings, but it is hard to imagine he would have agreed to return without some guarantees. He knows this squad inside out and was fully aware of its fragility during his previous interim spell. Results were achieved, but performances often rode a fine line, and that balance cannot be maintained indefinitely.
Nancy accelerated the problems with wholesale changes and an unwillingness to adapt. O’Neill, by contrast, is far more pragmatic and will prioritise solidity. One of his immediate dilemmas was what to do with Kasper Schmeichel. Last season, the goalkeeper was a standout performer, but this year his form has dipped alarmingly.
Many of Nancy’s struggles were self-inflicted, but they were compounded by a goalkeeper conceding soft goals and failing to command his area. The reckless approach of recent weeks is unlikely to continue, yet Celtic’s most urgent issues lie further up the pitch. The team desperately need goals, and they need them quickly.
The attempt to bring Kyogo back was understandable. It made sense if the option was there. It is not, so Celtic have to move on. Time is not on their side, and hesitation could prove costly.
The wider question is what this says about recruitment. Even the pursuit of Kyogo highlights a lack of planning. The club have known since last January that a striker was required, even before Kyogo eventually left. They failed to address it then, failed again in the summer, and only scrambled to sign Kelechi Iheanacho after the window had already closed.
Now, with the year already underway, there is still no clear solution. A new striker should have been identified months ago and ready to walk through the door as soon as the window opened. Instead, the club are still searching, which sums up the ongoing mess behind the scenes.
Celtic have replaced Kieran Tierney with Kieran Tierney, Jota with Jota, and nearly Kyogo with Kyogo. It is becoming a worrying pattern.
As for Kyogo, the opportunity was there for him to reset his career. He has struggled since leaving, yet chose to stay put rather than seize the chance to return. That is his decision. It would not be surprising if he moves on again soon, but that will come too late for Celtic.
Personally, I would prefer the club to take a calculated risk on Callum Wilson. He carries injury concerns and would not come cheap, but desperate times call for bold decisions. The potential reward justifies the gamble.
The next fortnight could decide the title. Hearts are currently in the strongest position and have already added to their squad. Their recruitment has been proactive and focused, putting Celtic to shame. Rangers are also acting with intent and appear ready to invest.
Celtic have brought in Julian Araujo on loan, which should help at right-back, but the glaring issue remains in attack. Goals are in short supply, and that cannot be ignored.
O’Neill will be leaning heavily on Shaun Maloney to deliver in the transfer market, and the pressure is intense. Jocelin Ta Bi looks set to arrive, but he appears more like a development signing than a ready-made solution. He might surprise everyone, but that would be hope rather than expectation.
What Celtic need now are proven performers, not long-term projects. O’Neill requires immediate help, and it is up to Maloney and the board to provide it. Without that support, even a manager of his experience will struggle.