The remarkable accolade that Martin O’Neill has claimed on his unlikely Celtic return

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Celtic are still coming to terms with the departure of Brendan Rodgers.

But as if that story wasn’t enough, his interim replacement has been confirmed as Hoops legend Martin O’Neill, who will work alongside Shaun Maloney.

With no inkling that this news was coming, it’s an extraordinary set of circumstances which have seemingly thrown everything up in the air.

Dermot Desmond’s sensational statement aimed at Rodgers has seemingly turned an acrimonious departure into a full-blown war. The statement was a complete attack on the former Hoops boss.

And his replacement has not worked in six years. O’Neill, returning to Celtic Park after more than 20 years, claiming an incredible title in doing so.

Martin O’Neill claims historic title in Celtic return

O’Neill will be assisted by Shaun Maloney in his Celtic return – Maloney played under him as a young player.

He may only be back on an interim basis, but his head being hunted for the position indicates that he will at least be considered for a permanent position.

READ MORE: Three badly-aged Brendan Rodgers Celtic quotes resurface after bombshell resignation

Rodgers departs the Hoops at the age of 52, spending an accumulated five seasons’ worth of games in the Parkhead hotseat.

Aged 21 years his senior, O’Neill has a wealth of experience in management, but hasn’t worked in football since his spell at Nottingham Forest six years ago.

And at the age of 73, O’Neill has become the oldest active manager in Britain.

This is an incredible reflection on the tendency for modern clubs to opt for younger options.

David Moyes is the oldest manager in the Premier League and is over a decade younger than O’Neill. After Steve Bruce’s sacking from Blackpool, Ian Holloway of Swindon Town is the oldest gaffer in the EFL.

O’Neill takes the position from East Fife boss Dick Campbell, who manages East Fife at the age of 71.

Martin O’Neill’s initial spell at Celtic

After building up a hugely impressive CV in England at Wycombe, Norwich and Leicester, O’Neill was brought to Glasgow in 2000 where he had to be the club’s messiah.

Taking over a Celtic side which had been in disarray under John Barnes, the Irishman turned the team’s fortunes around to deliver the club’s first treble since the days of Jock Stein.

After defending the league title, he led the club to a historic UEFA Cup final in 2003. Despite falling to defeat against Jose Mourinho’s Porto, the achievement is solidified by the club not getting close to one since.

Building a formidable team around senior figures such as Neil Lennon, Paul Lambert and Henrik Larsson, O’Neill is rightly viewed as one of the most important figures in the club’s history.