celtics Then in free fall Brendan RogersA shocking resignation, staring into the bleak abyss of the domestic campaign and further trouble in Europe.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, former treble winner Martin O’Neill parachute to steady the ship – six years since the 73-year-old last held a managerial role.

What happened was that, apart from that night at Midtjylland, it was an almost perfect transition period for the beloved coach, with O’Neill leaving things much better for new boss Wilfried Nancy than he had found for him.

Nancy, whose short-lived predecessor left behind a resurgent team, has unfortunately been handed a hospital pass from the Parkhead hierarchy instead, with his late arrival coming at the start of a crucial week for the Glasgow giants.

Three heavy defeats in three games have since followed, with the Hoops’ season reaching a new low with Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at St Mirren at Hampden Park.

The Frenchman and his controversial tactical set-up have been firmly under the microscope, although one must also point the finger at a summer recruitment that now looks even more disastrous.

How Celtic’s summer transfer window turned into a disaster

Comparisons to Ibrox are rarely welcome, although it’s worth noting that both Glasgow clubs have found themselves in similar situations, with Rangers boss Danny Rohr departing to pick up the pieces of the Light Blues’ own window of horror under Kevin Thelwell and Russell Martin.

Nancy himself inherited a poor team, notably lacking a veteran, reliable center, with rookies Kelechi Iheanacho and Callum Osmand both sidelined with injuries.

Forgotten man Nobu Yamada is also yet to score since arriving from Japan, while compatriot Hayato Inamura is another figure tethered to the periphery, having barely featured under Rodgers or O’Neill.

Loan signing Jamai Simpson-Poussey has made just one appearance during an increasingly bizarre period, while Kieran Tierney’s long-awaited return hasn’t gone as expected, with the Scot particularly fascinated by last week’s drubbing against Roma.

have seen more Sebastian Tunecti and Benjamin Nygrenwhile the attacking pair have been flattered so far, with Tunecti scoring just two goals and no assists despite the initial promise.

Nygren has 12 goals and 12 assists, although the Swede has made no contribution in the past five Premier League games and did not even come on as a substitute on Sunday.

Perhaps Nancy has seen enough from a man who has already missed nine “big chances” in the league and Europa League, although Celtic supporters have at least seen a quality end product from the 24-year-old.

Not everyone is like this…

Celtic’s failure was more waste of money than Tounekti & Nygren

With a combined signing price of around £7.2m, expectations are higher for Tunecti and Nygren at this stage and Parkhead will no doubt be praying that the absent Jota returns to strengthen the forward line.

However, when the Portuguese talent is back fit and firing on all cylinders, it will expose the larger flaws of a chaotic summer, with Nancy now left with a string of attacking players suited to the left flank.

Indeed, Jota, Tunecti and Daizen Maeda have all been at their best in this role, while even Yang Hyun-joon looked rejuvenated under O’Neill after scoring in the away win at Feyenoord.

What does this mean to someone with £5m, Michelle-Angie Barikvisha It remains to be seen, with the DR Congo international already at the bottom of the pecking order following his move from Royal Antwerp in the summer.

The 24-year-old, who will be sidelined for the next few weeks due to participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, has made only a minimal impact so far and will sink further into oblivion.

The long-term target has long been touted by the Hoops, but has since registered just two assists in 13 games with his new team and failed to score in any of his brief appearances.

The versatile forward has made just two starts for the Premier League side, including in the derby in late August, and has not featured in the last five league games as well as the cup final defeat.

Of course, it’s hard to judge a player who’s barely been given a chance, although it’s not a good sign that a string of head coaches are now choosing not to involve him.

Considering how long he was pursued and how much the Hoops paid for him, Balikwisha was arguably the worst signing of the summer, if not the worst signing of Rodgers’ second season.

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