Celtic finally made the right decision this week and showed Wilfried Nancy the exit door. Everybody, except for the board, had realised that he was out of his depth in the Parkhead job after his first two or three games in charge. But those in the boardroom seemed intent on trying to make this a success and prove their decision to appoint the Frenchman as the right one. Ultimately, they had no other choice but to sack him, but by then, a lot of unnecessary damage had been done to the season.
It was Martin O'Neill who had helped recover Celtic's season after Brendan Rodgers' resignation. Now, he has been to do the same again, following the sacking of Nancy.
Nancy's reign produced two wins in eight games for the club, a historically poor run. It not only allowed Hearts to open up a lead at the top of the table once again, but also let the Rangers catch up with Celtic, something that had seemed impossible earlier in the campaign.
Now, it is up to O'Neill to get things back on track. And it looks like he wants a fellow club hero to return to help him in that quest.
Celtic set for another blockbuster return after Martin O'Neill
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Kyogo looks set for a return to Celtic. He could be on his way back to Parkhead on loan from Birmingham City in time for this weekend’s league game against Dundee United. O’Neill’s top priority is to add to his forwardline. Hoops chiefs have spent the last 24 hours exploring the possibility of a deal.
Is bringing back Kyogo the right step at this point in time? He was a phenomenon for Celtic, especially during those two seasons under the management of Ange Postecoglou. And even though his form dipped with Rodgers as manager, he was still the first-choice number 9 throughout, before leaving for Rennes last January.
That move to Rennes was a mistake though. He would move again in the summer, joining Birmingham City. But Kyogo has struggled down in England as well, managing just one goal in 25 appearances for the club. So, if Celtic do sign him, they will be getting a striker completely out of form and low on confidence.
Then again, perhaps a change of scenery is exactly what Kyogo needs. A return to Celtic could also be his last chance in a bid to make Japan's squad for the upcoming World Cup, which had been a driving factor to leave Parkhead in the first place. Turns out the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Let's see what the future holds for Kyogo. It appears that he could be set for a Celtic reunion in the very near future. And if we do get him back in a green-and-white jersey, let's hope we get him at his best. At 30 years of age, he should be well capable of producing the goods at Parkhead.