THERE has been a whirlwind of change at Celtic since Saturday’s opponents St Mirren last visited Parkhead on the opening day of the Premiership season on August 3 last year.
For a start, there will be no sign of Brendan Rodgers, at the stage entering the final 12 months of his three-year contract.
Back at the campaign kick-off, when Luke McCowan struck a late winner for the champions, the Irishman had already insisted he would be at the club for the remainder of his deal “200 per cent”.
THE END IS IN SIGHT…Brendan Rodgers after the 3-1 loss to Hearts at Tynecastle.
After just eight more Premiership games – including back-to-back defeats at Dundee and Hearts – Rodgers suddenly and unexpectedly departed. Trusted No.2 John Kennedy joined him through the exit.
That triggered the first SOS to former gaffer Martin O’Neill to take over in an interim period while the club searched for a permanent successor.
Enter Wilfried Nancy. Following 33 catastrophic days, in which the Hoops shed TWELVE points in six league outings and blew a Cup Final, it was exit Wilfried Nancy.
Once again O’Neill stepped up and the charismatic Irishman will, of course, be in charge against the Paisley club at the weekend as the Hoops continue an unlikely pursuit of their fifth successive title.
They are three points behind leaders Hearts with six games to play and it would be sheer folly to write off a club that have lifted thirteen of the last 14 crowns.
The turmoil in the dug-out has been matched by the turbulence among the playing ranks.
WILFRIED’S WOES…French flop Nancy can’t hide his disappointment after another Celtic setback.
Kasper Schmeichel, Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers all faced the Saints just over eight months ago.
The 39-year-old legendary Danish goalkeeper, who last played in the 2-1 loss to Hibs in the east end of Glasgow on February 22, has seen his career threatened with the shoulder injury he sustained on international duty against Portugal in Lisbon just over a year ago.
Johnston’s season has been ravaged by injury and he may have kicked his last first-team ball this term.
Carter-Vickers collapsed at the end of the 2-1 Europa League victory over Sturm Graz at Parkhead on October 23, the last time he was seen in the hoops.
Arne Engels also performed against the Paisley club at the beginning of a tumultuous crusade and he will miss the weekend clash with another injury.
VICTORY SALUTE…Martin O’Neill acknowledges the Celtic support after the 2-1 win over Dundee at Dens Park.
Adam Idah led the attack against the team managed by Stephen Robinson who will also be elsewhere on Saturday as he takes charge of Aberdeen against Hibs at Pittodrie.
Just over three weeks later, the Republic of Ireland international striker joined Championship outfit Swansea City in a £6million move.
Ironically, he was replaced by compatriot Johnny Kenny in the 78th minute and the youngster is also now in English football following his January loan switch to third-tier Bolton.
It’s been a torrid and topsy-turvy eight months, but a dogged Celtic, guided by the wily O’Neill, cannot be counted out.
Three points on Saturday would be most welcome.
FOR THE RECORD: The Celtic team that beat St Mirren in August was: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney (sub: Trusty 65); Nygren (sub: Engels 78), McGregor, Hatate (sub: McCowan 78); Yang (sub: Forrest 59), Idah (sub: Kenny 78), Maeda.
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