Former Celtic favourite Scott Sinclair has backed Martin O'Neill to deliver another Premiership title this season. The Bhoys are currently four points clear of Rangers in second place after taking care of business against Hibernian over the weekend.
The Bhoys are in fine form in the league despite struggling in Europe, although their back-to-back defeats to Rangers across league and cup before the break did raise some concern about the overall title picture.
Crucially, though, the Hoops have managed to consistently beat everyone but Rangers so far this season, while the Gers have had trouble being so consistent, and that may be enough to define the title race.
In the meantime, Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is winning people over again after a difficult run, at least in the league, while most understand that shortcomings in Europe are largely down to poor recruitment rather than O'Neill's managerial ability.
Speaking to Andy's Bet Club, former Celtic winger Sinclair said: “The criticism of Martin O'Neill? When you play against Rangers, it means so much. Playing in it, you understand how big a game it is for the fans. It's what they live for when both teams meet at the weekend.
“The main priority is to win the Premiership every season. When you're at Celtic, you're expected to play and win every single game, and it's the same with Rangers now.
“Rangers have improved but, for me, Celtic will always be the team everyone is chasing and Martin O'Neill is the right man to go and win another title.
“He has so much experience and you can see that in the way he leads Celtic to silverware. Even when fans and people are talking and aren't happy with certain results, he is still the right man to be at Celtic. The main thing for him is to go out and win the league, and he will do that.”
Sinclair is right, and especially when you factor in the talent level at the club. Celtic don't have the quality to go and steamroll teams by playing fancy football, nor can they compete with the top clubs in Europe.
They need a manager who understands how to win with the tools he has, and O'Neill largely offers that, even if he does have his tactical shortcomings. He also has a cool head, and that has already proven important this season when the Bhoys went through a rocky patch.
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