Martin O'Neill's return to Celtic at the age of 74 has reignited the club's title hopes, with four games remaining in a tumultuous season. The Northern Irishman took over in late October after Brendan Rodgers' acrimonious departure, steadying a club in crisis and winning seven of his first eight matches to reduce Hearts' eight-point lead to goal difference.
O'Neill initially left after that caretaker spell, but successor Wilfried Nancy's eight-game tenure—featuring six defeats—saw Celtic slide back into trouble. Just 33 days after his departure, O'Neill was recalled and now has the team in contention for a Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
Sunday's Old Firm clash against Rangers will be O'Neill's 28th such fixture, and he remains unflustered by the occasion. In March, after a 2-2 draw at Ibrox, he dismissed post-match scuffles as 'feeble'. His experience and old-school approach have brought stability, but questions linger over Celtic's long-term direction.
Hearts, under Derek McInnes, still lead the table and could become the first champions outside the Old Firm since 1985. However, O'Neill's immediate impact has made the title race a three-way contest, with Celtic's revival a remarkable subplot in an unpredictable season.
