Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was able to relax at home on Sunday as his side cruised to a 5-1 victory at Kilmarnock, with Kasper Hogh scoring a first-half hat-trick. The win came after O'Neill had visited the team hotel pre-match, but he was absent as he recovers from a 'small procedure' in hospital last week.
O'Neill's contribution should be honoured
O'Neill's efforts last season, when he salvaged a double from a catastrophic campaign, earned him the right to decide his own fate. But the 74-year-old's decision to stay on for another season has left him exposed to the pressures of a club that shows little sign of long-term strategy. Keith Jackson argues that the club owes it to O'Neill to make his working conditions as comfortable as possible.
Transfer window concerns
Before his procedure, O'Neill was in talks with chief executive Michael Nicholson over transfer plans. The capture of Hogh, an £11m striker, is a sign of intent, but with players like Alistair Johnston and Arne Engles likely to leave, O'Neill's options may shrink. Jackson insists the board must back the manager with more signings to avoid leaving him under-resourced.
Hogh's impact
Hogh's hat-trick and overall movement have shown his value, and Jackson believes he could break records if properly serviced. The win allowed stand-in boss Shaun Maloney to rest Alistair Johnston for the entire second half, as his future remains uncertain.
