Martin O'Neill is set to face the media on Friday for the first time since deciding to remain as Celtic boss, with a number of major issues still unresolved after his club TV interview.
The Northern Irishman walked out of the Parkhead media room in the wake of a second Old Firm defeat admitting he was going to think about his future. Almost three weeks on, O'Neill has decided he is still up for the fight, and the battle will resume at Motherwell this weekend.
The 74-year-old declared he was up to the task in an interview with Celtic Player, but there are some questions the club TV didn't ask. Record Sport looks at the six big questions for O'Neill on Friday as he gets back to business.
What convinced him to stay?
This is the big one. O'Neill sounded down in the dumps after the Rangers defeats and riddled with self-doubt. He questioned whether he had the desire or the belief he could continue. What changed? Did he speak to Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board? Did they persuade him or did he reach the conclusion himself?
Tennis ball protest and Carter-Vickers comments
What did O'Neill make of the St Andrews tennis ball protest against Dermot Desmond? This might be a tricky one for the Hoops boss. He's close to the major shareholder and has shown loyalty over a quarter of a century. He won't be criticising the main man, but he won't want to get on the wrong side of the fans either. A total minefield.
The big defender Cameron Carter-Vickers wasn't intentionally throwing his manager under the bus when he called for more clarity with the 'random' tactics, but it certainly didn't do the gaffer any favours. It will be interesting to hear if O'Neill has spoken to Carter-Vickers to clear the air or read the riot act.
Tactics, formation and the comeback stars
It all got very disjointed during that damaging week before the international window and it looked like O'Neill was throwing darts against the wall to find out the best shape of the side. He's clearly lacking physicality in the middle of the pitch and there will need to be a work around. The big question of how to fit Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh into the side also needs answered.
O'Neill addressed some of the injury issues on club TV but further clarity will be needed over several players. How bad is Yang Hyun-jun's hamstring injury picked up at the Asian Games? What's the script with Haissem Hassan after the mixed messages coming out of the Egypt camp over his fitness? When can Jota be expected to be competing for the first team again after his tentative comeback and how long before Alistair Johnston is back in action?
The lost Bhoys
Celtic made a raft of signings on deadline day but a couple of them have yet to be seen. Landon Emenalo arrived on loan from Chelsea with an injury but it's now the middle of October and it's unclear if he's even hooked up with the Hoops yet. Likewise, Joel Van den Berg has been a mystery man as well. He was named on the bench a couple of times after coming in for £3.4m from PSV Eindhoven but he was last spotted hobbling out of Celtic Park wearing a moon boot.
