MARTIN O’NEILL kick-starts his second Celtic rescue mission with a crucial Premiership encounter against Dundee United at Parkhead this afternoon.
The Irishman has been tasked with cleaning up the mess left behind following 33 disastrous days under woeful Wilfried Nancy with a calamitous record of six defeats in only eight games.
Just as he did after Brendan Rodgers’ abrupt exit in late October, O’Neill has stepped in once more to take over a rudderless ship.
Chris Sutton has welcomed his former Hoops gaffer back to the fold, but insists the 73-year-old team chief will require full backing from the board to get the faltering title holders back on course.
With 18 league hurdles until the completion of the campaign, the champions are six points behind leaders Hearts, but it is hardly an insurmountable gap to plug and eclipse between now and the finishing tape.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Martin O’Neill and captain Callum McGregor.
There are FIFTY-FOUR points to be won and Celtic will have to make sure the countdown starts today against the Tannadice club with three points added to the tally when the dust of battle clears.
Analysing the team’s predicament, Sutton said: “They are crying out for firepower – and need it now.
“I wasn’t surprised at the attempt to bring back Kyogo. It made sense, if he was available. But he’s not up for it – so move on. Celtic can’t hang about while he weighs up his options.
“The clock is ticking and the next few weeks are vital on and off the pitch.
“There has to be other striker targets. But even going for Kyogo, what does it say about the club’s recruitment? The self-proclaimed football doctor Paul Tisdale has gone, but what did Dr Dolittle leave behind?
“He knew a striker was needed since last January when Kyogo first left. In fact, they knew he wanted to go so it was even longer.
“But he failed to land one last winter, failed again in the summer and needed Brendan Rodgers to get on the phone to sign Kelechi Iheanacho after the window closed.
“Now what? A new No.9 should have been sourced in the last six months and ready to come in on New Year’s Day.
“The fact we are into the second week of the year and they went running to Kyogo just sums up the recruitment shambles. It’s embarrassing.
UP IN THE AIR…Kyogo Furuhashi rejected Celtic comeback chance.
“Celic have replaced Kieran Tierney with Kieran Tierney, Jota with Jota and almost Kyogo with Kyogo.
“Perhaps I should keep my boots close to hand.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “As for Kyogo, he shouldn’t have needed his arm twisted. He has had a miserable time of it, but this was a huge opportunity for him to get back on track.
“He should have remembered what Celtic did for him in the first place, but he’d rather sit on Birmingham’s bench instead. That’s up to him.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s out the door down there by the end of the window but it would be too late for Celtic.
“I would rather they pushed the boat out for Callum Wilson.
“I know he’s had his injury issues and it might be an expensive move, but they need to gamble right now.
“The rewards outweigh the outlay.”
ME AND MY SHADOW…Martin O’Neill with No.2 Shaun Maloney.
The one-time England international frontman added: “Celtic landed Julian Araujo on loan from Bournemouth and he should help out at right back.
“But the real problem area is up front and they badly need more goals in the team.
“O’Neill will be relying on Shaun Maloney to get a lot of these deals done and the pressure is on.
“It looks like Jocelin Ta Bi is next, but you’d got to say the Ivory Coast-born performer seems like another development player.
“He might hit the ground running like a Liel Abada, but that would be a hope rather than expectation.
“Celtic need proven players not projects and there’s a lot on Maloney to deliver for O’Neill and hope he is putting the pressure on the board to give the manager the tools he needs.
“My old boss is going to need all the help he can get.”
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