Many Celtic supporters might find themselves waking up in the coming days, questioning whether the tumultuous and potentially disastrous 33-day period under Wilfried Nancy was merely a bad dream.
Back in early December, Martin O'Neill oversaw a pragmatic 1-0 defeat against Dundee at Celtic Park. This match marked not only the conclusion of his prior interim management but also the last occasion they managed to keep their opponents from scoring.
Fast forward to O'Neill's second return, and his first match back after taking over from Nancy saw him guide the team to a convincing four-goal victory over a lackluster Dundee United. Remarkably, this was O'Neill's 20th win against the Tannadice club, preserving his flawless record against them.
Under O'Neill’s leadership, Celtic has now secured eight victories out of nine matches this season across both of his tenures. His reassuring presence is evident, particularly as the players quickly regained their form and confidence, as he pointed out in an interview with BBC Sport Scotland after the game.
"It was delightful," O'Neill expressed. "We played exceptionally well and won quite convincingly. The players are the ones who execute on the pitch, and this week has been rather unusual. I've returned - perhaps to haunt them in a way - but the players performed brilliantly, absolutely brilliantly.
The crowd was fantastic as well. Even during moments when we struggled, they supported us. Today was wonderful; there was a great atmosphere. Now, with the championship race intensifying, we need the crowd's backing.
Our focus was on winning, but the overall performance was outstanding - I certainly don't want to overlook that. We played superbly, regained our confidence, and it felt wonderful to win."
In the intense battle for the title that O'Neill alluded to, Celtic benefits from having a seasoned strategist like him back at the helm. With Liam Scales reinstated in central defense, the team appeared organized and solid at the back, a stark contrast to their previous vulnerability.
O'Neill strategically positioned players in their optimal roles against United, leading to an impressive outcome: four different players found the net, while wingers like Yang Hyun-jun and Sebastian Tounekti were relieved of defensive duties, allowing them to focus on attacking play. The midfield's control was also pivotal, with Arne Engels contributing decisively by scoring the crucial second goal.
It's no surprise that observers were quick to praise the team's performance.
"They completely dominated from start to finish," remarked former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner during the Sportsound program. "There was a much more controlled approach to possession compared to Wilfried Nancy’s era, which was characterized by high energy, intense play, creating chances yet failing to convert them.
From my perspective, the players seemed much more content with their formation and positions. They controlled the game effectively and demonstrated clarity in their play. The crowd showed great appreciation for Martin's return. This sets them up nicely for an upcoming series of four away games, which couldn't come at a better time."
The decision to part ways with O'Neill and his next-generation coaching staff earlier in December now appears increasingly illogical. The disorder of the Nancy tenure and the disastrous sequence of eight matches in charge have given way to a return to normalcy and stability.
With a solid defensive unit, featuring Scales ready to cover for any mistakes made by his defensive partners Auston Trusty and Kieran Tierney, alongside new signing Julian Araujo managing the flanks, the team looks much stronger. After his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, Tunisian winger Tounekti posed a significant threat down the left side, while Yang's revitalized form shows no signs of diminishing under O'Neill’s guidance.
If there were any lingering psychological impacts from the six losses endured during Nancy’s brief reign, this latest victory may have significantly alleviated those concerns. However, Celtic must now step beyond their home comforts.
They face a challenging stretch of away fixtures, including a difficult match against high-flying Falkirk, a seemingly perilous journey to Bologna, and a clash with league leaders Hearts.
Yet, one can trust O'Neill to tackle these challenges with composure. He will need some support from the recruitment team to maintain Celtic's dominance in the Premiership. Nonetheless, the evidence presented thus far this season suggests that he is not only prepared for this challenge but also confident in his ability to see it through successfully.
