Martin O'Neill marked his first game back in charge by returning Celtic to second place in the Scottish Premiership - and within three points of leaders Hearts - with a comfortable victory over struggling Dundee United.
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Image source, SNSInterim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "It was delightful, we played really well in the game and in the end we won quite convincingly.
"You still have to score the first goal in the game, Yang takes it magnificently and we get up and running but the performance was really good.
"It's not a deflection, the players have to do the playing and it's been a strange old week again. I've come back in again perhaps to haunt them as much as anything else but the players did brilliantly, absolutely brilliantly. It's a boost of confidence as much as anything else.
"Some of the players are just back to a bit of form that I know they can produce and that was the lovely thing about today's performance. Overall I thought we were excellent.
"If we're going to try and do anything, I've been at this football club before a long time ago and the crowd were magnificent. Even moments when we were poor they kept with us. Today was great, there was a nice atmosphere. now, being in a dog fight for the championship, we need the crowd behind us and they were great today.
"I will let the players enjoy tomorrow, we'll enjoy tomorrow but Wednesday [against Falkirk] is a big, big task for us.
"Today it was all about winning the game but the performance was terrific, I don't think I should overlook that. We played really well, got confidence back again and it was just lovely to win.
"I've got no update [on transfers] at this minute. We need some people in to help the squad at the minute. I am never confident about anything until it's actually over the line."
Celtic, Rangers and a handful of Championship clubs have registered their interest in signing Hibernian forward Kieron Bowie, 23, in this month's transfer window. (Football Insider), external
Hibs have received no contact from clubs, including Celtic, Rangers and Wolverhampton Wanderers, reportedly interested in Bowie and none have even reached out for guidance on what sort of a fee it would take to secure the Edinburgh club's joint top scorer. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Celtic and Fiorentina have shown interest in Zambia midfielder Miguel Chaiwa, requesting updated information on the Hibs 21-year-old. (Rudy Galetti on X), external
Meanwhile, Celtic are finalising a £2m transfer for 20-year-old Maccabi Netanya winger Jocelin Ta Bi, who has also agreed a long-term contract with the Scottish champions. (Sky Sports), external
Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill plans to stay loyal to goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel despite recent criticism of the 39-year-old Dane's performances. (Herald - subscription required), external
Aberdeen have made an approach to Celtic to sign centre-half Stephen Welsh on a permanent transfer despite the 25-year-old currently being on loan to Motherwell. (Daily Record), external
Image source, SNSThe Celtic players have to "take responsibility" for their dreadful results under Wilfried Nancy, says Benjamin Nygren, as he welcomes the return of interim manager Martin O'Neill.
Nancy was sacked after 33 days in charge on Monday with a record of six defeats and two wins.
Attacking midfielder Nygren, 24, says the Frenchman - who introduced a 3-4-3 formation - was let down by the squad.
"Us, as players, even though we haven't had the results we wanted we still have tried to focus on performances and train well and implement the style the previous coach wanted," Nygren said.
"We didn't do it well enough and that's something that we need to take responsibility for, but now our focus is on the games ahead and to start winning again.
"It's not been good enough. When you play for Celtic you need to win almost every game and that's what almost every player in the squad wants to do."
The Sweden international, who is Celtic's top scorer this season with 10 goals, believes the blame is to be shared after Nancy's failed tenure but is pleased to see the return of O'Neill.
"He's a massive legend and loved by everyone in the club, players, fans, so it's nice to have him back," he added.
"I still think as players we didn't implement the stuff he [Nancy] wanted well enough.
"I don't think you can only blame one person. At the end of the day it's the players on the field and we need to take responsibility for that.
"But now the focus is to come back as fast as possible and start winning games."
Celtic are without Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Marcelo Saracchi (all hamstring) along with Jota (knee) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles).
Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha could be involved after Africa Cup of Nations duty.
United expect to have Ryan Strain and Dario Naamo available after groin injuries. Isaac Pappoe (knee) remains out.
Image source, SNSMartin O'Neill intends to have talks with Celtic players to see if they have been affected by recent criticism from fans.
Players came under fire for performances in the run-up to Wilfried Nancy's sacking, in particular their second-half capitulation in last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Rangers that ultimately ended the Frenchman's tenure.
O'Neill, who has returned as interim manager until the end of the season, knows most of the squad members may not be used to such criticism with Celtic having been successful for so long.
"It's been pretty decent sailing here for some considerable time so that's something they've not been used to," the 73-year-old said.
"But if you don't win the games I think you have to accept that there will be criticism coming in some direction, although that might have been a bit of a shock to them.
"I will be speaking to players individually about how they might have been affected by that. But the best way to be disaffected by it is go back and win."
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSCeltic interim manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before his first game back in charge, at home to Dundee United.
Here are the main points:
O'Neill says "it would be unlikely" for striker Kyogo Furuhashi to return on loan during the winter window and "there is a viewpoint that he wants to really prove himself at Birmingham, which is no surprise".
The manager stresses the club are "doing plenty of work" on the transfer front, adding they are "well aware" of the need to "supplement the squad" this month.
On reports Brendan Rodgers wants to sign Callum McGregor for Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, O'Neill says "I haven't spoken to him about that at all" and stresses it would be "a major shock and a major disappointment" if the captain leaves in this window, adding: "I don't think we could cope with that, he's crucial."
The 73-year-old feels he "knows the players better than I did a few weeks ago" after returning for his second interim spell and says: "It's nice to see them again although I don't think they were expecting it."
The players are in "pretty good spirits" and know "they just have to go for it", starting with the game against United on Saturday.
O'Neill feels the players will benefit from some stability with him in place until the end of the season.
He knows a lot of the squad aren't used to the level of criticism they've experienced in recent weeks and admits he'll be "speaking to players individually to see how they've been affected by that".
O'Neill had no fresh fitness updates: "The injured lads are not back yet."
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSMartin O'Neill is back in interim charge of Celtic for the second time this season with the club, once again, in freefall.
They're six points behind leaders Hearts and now three behind Rangers, albeit with a game in hand on the Ibrox side.
The 73-year-old's first interim Celtic spell ended with a perfect domestic record. In his five league wins, Celtic scored 12 goals and conceded just one.
The cherry on the cake was the 3-1 extra-time victory over Rangers at Hampden that secured Celtic's place in the Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren.
And there was a memorable European high too. After Midtjylland inflicted Celtic's sole defeat under O'Neill, his side roared back to triumph 3-1 at Feyenoord - the club's first away success in continental competition in four years.
So O'Neill walked away - having enjoyed the "time of my life" during his fairytale return - with seven wins from eight, a cup final secured and priceless European memories.
Step up Wilfried Nancy. Celtic fans need little reminding of the nightmare that unfolded under the Frenchman. Eight games, six defeats - including the League Cup final and Old Firm derby - 11 goals scored and 18 conceded.
In O'Neill's first stint this season, Celtic conceded just six times across eight games while scoring 19.
If the Northern Irishman can replicate the magic of that spell - and revive their stuttering title defence - he can leave Celtic in the summer better than he found it.
Image source, SNSRobbie Neilson has drawn on his coaching experience in America to highlight the "mentality" difference between MLS and Scottish football after Wilfried Nancy's success Stateside didn't translate to his Celtic tenure.
Former Hearts boss Neilson, who managed USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies for 18 months, believes Nancy's tactical intransigence cost him in Glasgow.
The Frenchman was sacked by Celtic after winning just two of his eight games in charge amid an unwillingness to change from his preferred back three system.
"I've coached out in America, I know what the mentality is like," Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"The mentality is, if you're not winning, do plan A better. It's not go to plan B or plan C. Whereas when you're in Scottish football and the Old Firm, you just have to find a way to win. And that was a problem for me. He didn't find a way to win."
Neilson added: "He wouldn't adapt to get to the [January] window.
"When you come into a club, you go window to window. If you take over in the summer, perfect, because you can then build your squad, can then coach them for six weeks, for pre-season.
"When you come in, your job is to get the team in the best condition you can get them to and then adapt the squad within the window.
"I think the issue with Nancy was he came in and took a winning team and changed them before the window and then put them in a more difficult position.
"As we know in any football club, but especially the Old Firm, you have to win every week and I think that's one of the issues with Nancy."
Image source, Getty ImagesBirmingham City are currently considering an approach from Celtic to take Kyogo Furuhashi on loan and the clubs remain in talks, but the Japan striker is still seen as a valuable member of the Championship club's squad despite his lack of goals. (Sky Sports), external
Celtic face an uphill battle to persuade Kyogo to return to Glasgow on loan as the Japan striker is reluctant to give up on becoming a regular starter with Birmingham City, while the Scottish champions would also have to pay a percentage of the 30-year-old's £40,000 per week salary. (The Herald), external
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies thinks Kyogo will remain with the Championship club and that there have been no discussions with him other than the Japan forward battling to regain his goalscoring touch. (Give Me Sport), external
Dundee have renewed their interest in signing Celtic right-back Colby Donovan on loan after failing to secure the 19-year-old during the summer transfer window. (Glasgow Times), external
Celtic are facing mounting pressure to abandon a proposed £2m transfer deal with Israeli club Maccabi Netanya for Ivory Coast winger Jocelin Ta Bi after the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) wrote directly to the club calling on its board to halt the move. (The Herald), external
Interim manager Martin O'Neill has admitted he would love a job upstairs at Celtic after being linked with replacing Peter Lawwell as chairman. (The Herald), external
Bookmakers have slashed Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez's odds to become the next permanent Celtic manager. (Football Insider), external
Former Celtic target Dominik Livakovic is poised to quit Fenerbahce, with the goalkeeper's previous club Dinamo Zagreb leading the race for the signature of the 30-year-old who is out of favour on loan to Girona. (Daily Record), external
Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSIcon Henrik Larsson says "the time was right" to join Barcelona in 2004 because he wanted to leave Celtic while still at his peak.
The Swede will always be revered at Celtic where he scored 242 goals in 315 appearances, winning four league titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
Having snubbed a move to Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in 1999, Larsson ended his seven-year Celtic spell at age 32 with a free transfer to Barcelona after winning the double in his final season.
"I stayed seven years in Scotland with Celtic," he told The Overlap, external podcast.
"I felt, I stayed there for seven years and it was time because if you don't score in two games, 'it's not the same old Larsson any more.'
"I had a meeting with the gaffer [Martin O'Neill] because I decided already in the summer that I would run the year out, but I would tell everybody.
"I told the gaffer and I told the fans. He [O'Neill] was okay because I said 'I just want to get out when I'm still ahead,' and he said 'Yeah that's fair enough.'
"To be fair he was always nice to me, always good, but I was good to him as well.
"I wanted to get as good as possible an ending. I told the supporters early as well 'I will not extend my contract, I will go after the season.'
"I tried to do that to be transparent and so nobody was kept in the dark. The time was right."
We asked for your views on what Celtic need to do in the January transfer window.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Andy: A striker is a must and it's a bit disappointing we've not progressed on this area just yet. Kelechi Iheanacho and Callum Osmand are out for a while yet which just leaves Johnny Kenny, who is nowhere near good enough. Wilfried Nancy's reign was characterised by missed chances and that's not something Martin O'Neill will be able to address without someone who can put the ball in the net.
Gerard: Striker, centre forward and a number 9. The board can't mess about on this. Callum Wilson is available - a short-term loan would work for both parties. It's a World Cup year, there will be a number of players looking for game-time - get in about it Celtic.
Tom: Where do I start… definitely need a new striker. Also a winger as Jota won't be fully fit until about March, a new CB is a must and a creative midfielder. And maybe a few players for the bench.
James: An out-and-out striker, clinical and precise who can hit the ground running and give rest and recovery for Iheanacho and competition to Kenny who is more of a forward than a striker. A pacy right winger with an eye for goal creation. A strong midfielder who can carry the ball well and hold up opponents.
Graeme: The main issue through the team is it lacks power. Celtic have plenty of players that can play football but they lack height and power through the middle, something they have lacked since Scott Brown left. They desperately need a new centre-back, a proper defensive midfielder with similar attributes to Victor Wanyama and finally a centre forward much like Giorgos Giakoumakis.
Stephen: We're desperate for a right winger/forward and two strikers who can battle for the starting spot. A replacement keeper is also needed unless we pull the trigger now on making Viljami Sinisalo number one. I love Kasper Schmeichel and appreciate what he's done for us but he's been on a rapid decline this season.
Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSLarsson twice headed Celtic level against Porto in Seville
More than two decades on, Henrik Larsson can barely bring himself to talk about it.
Celtic's heartbreaking loss to Porto in the 2003 Uefa Cup final remains the biggest disappointment of the legendary striker's trophy-laden career.
Larsson was a huge influence in Celtic's run to Seville. He netted 11 goals - including two in the final - and was the competition's second top scorer, one behind Porto's Derlei.
Both players scored a brace in the dramatic showpiece that Martin O'Neill's side lost 3-2 after extra time following Bobo Balde's red card. It remains Celtic's last European final.
Speaking to The Overlap, external podcast, 54-year-old Swede Larsson said: "Whenever we didn't win the league [it was a disapointment] and the biggest one is the European final against Porto. It's still tough talk about.
"I don't think anybody really will ever get over it. I had a lot of friends down there, my father was down there when he was alive.
"They're saying there was somewhere between 50,000-80,000 [fans].
"I had one of my best friends down walk in the city with my father during the day and they only saw green and white there and they said it was just unbelievable.
"That has to be [the biggest disappointment], the fans and us as a team were worth more."
Image source, SNSCeltic are unbeaten in 50 home games against Dundee United in all competitions (W38 D12) since a 1-0 league defeat in December 1992. It's just their second ever run of 50+ home matches unbeaten against any club, along with a 64-match spell against Kilmarnock from 1957 to 2011.
After their 2-1 win in December, Dundee United could secure back-to-back league victories over Celtic for the first time since January 1990.
After winning all five of their Premiership games under Martin O'Neill this season, Celtic lost four of six league matches under Wilfried Nancy (W2), with O'Neill now returning to the club.
During his first spell in charge, the Northern Irishman won all 19 of his games against Dundee United in all competitions – the most any Celtic manager has faced a single opponent without ever failing to win.
Dundee United have gained a league-high 10 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, coming from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 in December. Indeed, Celtic have lost two of the past four league games in which they have led at any stage (W2), as many as their previous 220 when leading (W201 D17 L2).
Celtic are looking to avoid losing three successive league matches for the first time since October 1994. After their 3-1 defeat to Rangers, the Hoops could also lose their opening two league games of a calendar year for the first time since 1994.
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
As the dust settles on the shambolic 33-day Wilfried Nancy era, a calmer air of comfort seems to have settled over sections of the Celtic support.
Like pulling on their favourite old jumper, the return of the avuncular - and highly successful - Martin O'Neill has restored order to last month's chaos.
His third stint at the wheel does, however, raise a few queries for the Celtic board which I'm sure the supporters would like answers to.
Given they had an experienced, successful manager in O'Neill still in place at the beginning of December, mentoring the next generation of Celtic coaches in Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus, why was an interim team that had won seven out of eight matches disbanded in favour of a transatlantic gamble?
What clear, pressing, compelling case had been made that led the board to fixate on the appointment of someone who had never managed in Europe, let alone the pressure cooker that is Glasgow?
Given Wilfried Nancy's clear preference for a 3-4-3 formation, and given the playing staff available when he took over in early December, who thought it would still be a good idea to press ahead with such a risky appointment at one of the most crucial periods in the club's season?
The dismissal of Paul Tisdale, the erstwhile head of football operations, may have answered that one.
The board, however, still sanctioned it and even as late as the day of the defeat at Dundee United, chief executive Michael Nicholson assured supporters January and summer recruitment was being discussed with Nancy.
Talking of which, another much more pressing question arises: after Kyogo Furuhashi - now being linked with a return - left a year ago, and following Adam Idah's departure in August, where are the strikers the club ought to have signed on the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay?
Especially given the injury to Kelechi Iheanacho. Should Nancy not have been presented with at least one forward as the transfer window opened, given the glaring misses that blighted many of his first seven matches?
How many players will O'Neill be allowed to sign? The new boss couldn't have been clearer in the media conference that marked the third coming of the blessed one: "we have to supplement the squad".
Two strikers, a centre-half, potential cover at left-back and a winger would seem to be the minimum requirements. Assistant Shaun Maloney has been running the rule over possible options, it would appear.
How big is the budget and how quickly can the club get these players in the door? Now third in the table, trailing leaders Hearts by six points, the clock is already ticking.
The club's recent recruitment has been little short of woeful and this must be corrected, and quickly. Post-Nancy, there are plenty of questions. Supporters and directors alike will hope O'Neill has the answers.
Image source, SNSKyogo Furuhashi could be on his way back to Celtic on loan from Birmingham City in time for this weekend's game against Dundee United, with the Scottish champions spending the past 24 hours exploring a deal for the 30-year-old striker. (Scottish Sun), external
Celtic were close to a deal for Canada defensive midfielder Niko Sigur from Hadjuk Split before sacking manager Wilfried Nancy earlier this week. (24Sata - in Croatian), external
Celtic should take a transfer "gamble" on signing striker Callum Wilson as the 33-year-old negotiates an early exit from West Ham, says the club's former centre forward Chris Sutton. (Sky Sports via Glasgow Times, external)
Image source, SNSCeltic supporter representatives have proposed steps towards reconciliation with the club's board.
In an open letter to interim chairman Brian Wilson, the Celtic Fans Collective appealed for common ground while again calling for changes to the club's hierarchy.
Wilson has shown a willingness to address fan concerns since replacing Peter Lawwell in the role last month and appealed for "unity within the stadium to create the best possible environment for the manager and team to launch the fightback".
He admitted replacing Wilfried Nancy with Martin O'Neill did "not address every issue" but had previous said Celtic were going through a "strategic" review to undergo a "process of change".
The removal of Nancy and head of football operations Paul Tisdale, plus the return of O'Neill, will take the edge off fan anger that was evident during and after Saturday's 3-1 home defeat by Rangers.
But ongoing talk of boycotts and indefinite suspension of the Green Brigade, who dispute the version of events which led to their ban, threaten to undermine O'Neill's attempts to restore a positive atmosphere before Saturday's match against Dundee United.
The relationship between the board and wider fan base has collapsed over the past year after a perceived lack of investment, failure to qualify for the Champions League and then Nancy's disastrous reign.
The Celtic Fans Collective stated its desire to "move towards a period of reconciliation and systemic change".
"Where we do agree with a board member is in interim chairman Brian Wilson's call for unity," their letter said.
"This has been sorely lacking all season and Celtic can only reach its true potential where there is unity across the club: board, manager, players and, crucially, the Celtic support.
"This is something that all fans want to help push the team in the race for the league title. However, that can only come though a process of mediation, contrition and reconciliation.
"We are calling on Brian Wilson and representatives of Celtic Football Club to meet with Celtic Fans Collective on the spirit of reconciliation and a genuine desire to achieve unity."
However, the group issued three caveats, calling for modernisation and effective communication of the club's football strategy including merit-based appointments.
The statement also demanded a reset of the executive team, arguing that chief executive Michael Nicholson and finance officer Chris McKay should step aside "given their stated responsibility for the appointments" of Tisdale and Nancy.
Representatives also sought the reinstatement of the Green Brigade and fan media credentials and for engagement with supporter groups.
The statement added: "We are keen to get behind the manager and players given the importance of the months to come.
"However it's worth noting that 142 active supporter buses contacted us over the weekend urging the steering group to call for a boycott of an upcoming home match.
"Fan anger has reached a breaking point and the underlying causes of this must be addressed."
Image source, SNSJohn Collins isn't surprised to see Martin O'Neill back in the Celtic dugout and insists "he should never have left".
O'Neill took interim charge of the club following Brendan Rodgers' resignation in late October and won seven out of eight games before being replaced by Wilfried Nancy in December.
But after six defeats in eight matches, most recently Saturday's 3-1 Old Firm capitulation, Nancy was sacked and O'Neill is back to steer the ship for the remainder of the season.
"It was no surprise," former midfielder Collins told BBC Scotland about O'Neill's return to Celtic.
"I thought it would happen straight after the Rangers game. He should never have left, let's be honest, he did such a good job in a short period of time.
"I think every single Celtic supporter is absolutely delighted he's back. He's experienced, he unifies the club, everybody loves Martin O'Neill at Celtic, nobody has a bad word to say about him.
"He's proved the kind of impact he'll have. He's got that calming influence, he's a motivator.
"The players never played great but he got results, made changes to the team, brought players that hadn't been playing in the team - Yang Hyun-jun was a fine example, Martin brought him in out the cold and all of a sudden he looked a different player - and he's got qualities and vast experience."
