A year ago, Celtic imploded when manager Brendan Rodgers walked out on the club after a heated row with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond. The shock departure came just months after a double-winning season and Champions League run that saw Celtic take Bayern Munich to the limit.
Rodgers' exit followed a 3-1 defeat to Hearts, leaving Celtic eight points behind in the title race. The Irish manager had grown frustrated with the board over lack of transfer investment, famously comparing the squad to a 'Honda Civic' when asked to compete like a Ferrari.
Club legend Martin O'Neill, 74, took charge on an interim basis alongside Shaun Maloney as they began searching for a permanent replacement. The timing was dramatic - Rodgers had previously led Celtic to four consecutive titles and a near-miracle Champions League campaign against European giants.
The board's transfer strategy left fans protesting, with key players like Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn sold without adequate replacements. Rodgers felt vindicated in his public criticism of the lack of reinforcements in key areas.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing