At 73, Martin O'Neill stunned Scottish football by answering Dermot Desmond's emergency call to return as Celtic manager following Brendan Rodgers' departure. The veteran Northern Irishman inherited chaotic scenes - fan revolt over transfer spending and a humiliating Champions League play-off loss to Kairat Almaty. Within weeks, he had restored order.

O'Neill delivered Celtic's 14th league title in 15 years, recording 2.57 points per game - the best mark in Scotland's top flight this season. Two emergency appointments saw him guide the team through fan unrest and dressing room division, stripping play back to basics. While not the entertaining style of previous regimes, his results silenced critics and unified a fractured club.

Players rallied behind their manager, with captain Callum McGregor declaring O'Neill had "pulled the club back together" and defender Alistair Johnston calling for a statue. The 74-year-old refuses to commit to next season, admitting his age factors in. Former teammate Pat Bonner suggests O'Neill has "done what he can" and the club needs fresh direction. For now, the legend has earned his place in Celtic folklore.

Whether this represents a triumphant return or final hurrah remains unanswered. O'Neill departs with glory, but Celtic must eventually evolve beyond the nostalgic appeal of a tracksuit-clad icon.