When Martin O’Neill stepped back into the Celtic dugout, many supporters feared it might tarnish the legacy he built during one of the club’s greatest modern eras.
He was returning to a club in turmoil, a civil war between fans and the board, a stalled managerial search, and a team struggling for confidence.
Instead, O’Neill has reminded everyone why he remains one of the most beloved managers in Celtic’s history.
He has won every league game since returning, guided Celtic to a European victory by the biggest margin since his first spell in charge, and even knocked Rangers out of the League Cup on the way to another final.
Far from harming his legacy, his steady leadership has helped stabilise Celtic during one of the most turbulent spells in years.
But O’Neill insists he never once thought about how this short spell would reflect on his place in Celtic history.
He said: [Sky Sports] “No, honestly, I’ve never worried about a legacy. I’ve genuinely never worried about it.
“My worry was just failing. That was the point, but not legacy.
“We talk about legacies here. If there’s a legacy at Celtic, it’s Jock Stein. And as I said, the rest of us are just followers. And that’s the case.
“So honestly, it has never really bothered me. It was the fear of failing at this time was the biggest worry.”
O’Neill will step aside shortly for the incoming Wilfried Nancy, but he leaves with his reputation not only intact, but enhanced.
Wednesday will likely be his last game in the dugout for the Hoops.
He, like everyone else, thought it would be at Easter Road, but the manager was informed that his final game would come at Paradise, against Dundee midweek.
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