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When Martin O’Neill replaced Brendan Rodgers in October, the Celtic ship was listing.

When he returned for a second interim spell after Wilfried Nancy’s tumultuous and brief reign, the ship was taking on water at an alarming rate.

Celtic have needed a safe pair of hands and a figurehead to unite a fanbase in revolt twice this season. On both occasions they have turned to O’Neill to save them.

He has lost just once in 14 matches across all competitions, a 3-1 reverse against an impressive Midtjylland outfit.

O’Neill has facilitated Celtic clawing their way back into the Scottish Premiership title race and Thursday’s win over Utrecht keeps their European campaign going, with a knockout play-off tie against either Stuttgart or Ferencvaros to come after Friday’s draw (12:00 GMT).

The last time Celtic won a two-legged European tie after Christmas was back in 2004 under – you guessed it – O’Neill, when they stunned Barcelona 1-0 on aggregate in the Uefa Cup.

If the two-time interim boss is to replicate that feat 22 years on, he was candid about how he needs additions in the remaining few days of the window.

In his post-match news conference, the 73-year-old was asked specifically about links to two wingers – Frosinone’s Fares Ghedjemis and Dunajska Streda’s Damir Redzic – that surfaced before the Utrecht game.

You could almost hear the sparkle in his eye when he answered.

“You wouldn’t be a million miles off,” O’Neill said. “That I don’t know [about a percentage].

“It could be [one rather than both]. I don’t think we’re in a position [to do both], yeah.

He had the assembled media pack giggling away as he told certain newspaper journalists he had been seeing their faces in his sleep, such is the interest around potential transfers at Parkhead.

And it is not only the media he has charmed, but his players, too.

Where they were finding ways to lose under Nancy – and Rodgers to a lesser degree – Celtic’s much-maligned squad are now grinding out results, albeit the 10-man reigning Premiership champions could not beat current leaders Hearts at the weekend.

Nevertheless, the upturn in performances and results since Nancy’s calamitous tenure has been stark, and that is without key starters Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota.

Midfielder Benjamin Nygren, who scored his 14th goal of the season against Utrecht, was asked about the impact O’Neill has had.

“He’s making a big difference,” the Sweden international said.

“He knows the club, he’s been here. He knows how it works here and he’s loved by everyone around the club.

There are storylines wherever you look with O’Neill, such is his history with Celtic and the esteem in which he is held by fellow managers and both former and current players.

He could be up against a man he managed for several years at international level if Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros are the play-off opposition.

“You always want to play against very, very experienced managers,” former Celtic striker Keane said after his side were beaten 4-0 by Nottingham Forest on Thursday.

“I’ve done it twice in this campaign, with Rafa [Benitez], and then with Sean [Dyche], who has got wealth of experience.

“There aren’t many more experienced than Martin, and what he’s done in the game and what he’s done since he’s come back to Celtic, because he’s given a lot of energy to the club, of course, a lot of energy to the players, with a club that was obviously very, very down.

When Martin O’Neill replaced Brendan Rodgers in October, the Celtic ship was listing.

When he returned for a second interim spell after Wilfried Nancy’s tumultuous and brief reign, the ship was taking on water at an alarming rate.

Celtic have needed a safe pair of hands and a figurehead to unite a fanbase in revolt twice this season. On both occasions they have turned to O’Neill to save them.

He has lost just once in 14 matches across all competitions, a 3-1 reverse against an impressive Midtjylland outfit.

O’Neill has facilitated Celtic clawing their way back into the Scottish Premiership title race and Thursday’s win over Utrecht keeps their European campaign going, with a knockout play-off tie against either Stuttgart or Ferencvaros to come after Friday’s draw (12:00 GMT).

The last time Celtic won a two-legged European tie after Christmas was back in 2004 under – you guessed it – O’Neill, when they stunned Barcelona 1-0 on aggregate in the Uefa Cup.

If the two-time interim boss is to replicate that feat 22 years on, he was candid about how he needs additions in the remaining few days of the window.

In his post-match news conference, the 73-year-old was asked specifically about links to two wingers – Frosinone’s Fares Ghedjemis and Dunajska Streda’s Damir Redzic – that surfaced before the Utrecht game.

You could almost hear the sparkle in his eye when he answered.

“You wouldn’t be a million miles off,” O’Neill said. “That I don’t know [about a percentage].

“It could be [one rather than both]. I don’t think we’re in a position [to do both], yeah.

He had the assembled media pack giggling away as he told certain newspaper journalists he had been seeing their faces in his sleep, such is the interest around potential transfers at Parkhead.

And it is not only the media he has charmed, but his players, too.

Where they were finding ways to lose under Nancy – and Rodgers to a lesser degree – Celtic’s much-maligned squad are now grinding out results, albeit the 10-man reigning Premiership champions could not beat current leaders Hearts at the weekend.

Nevertheless, the upturn in performances and results since Nancy’s calamitous tenure has been stark, and that is without key starters Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota.

Midfielder Benjamin Nygren, who scored his 14th goal of the season against Utrecht, was asked about the impact O’Neill has had.

“He’s making a big difference,” the Sweden international said.

“He knows the club, he’s been here. He knows how it works here and he’s loved by everyone around the club.

There are storylines wherever you look with O’Neill, such is his history with Celtic and the esteem in which he is held by fellow managers and both former and current players.

He could be up against a man he managed for several years at international level if Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros are the play-off opposition.

“You always want to play against very, very experienced managers,” former Celtic striker Keane said after his side were beaten 4-0 by Nottingham Forest on Thursday.

“I’ve done it twice in this campaign, with Rafa [Benitez], and then with Sean [Dyche], who has got wealth of experience.

“There aren’t many more experienced than Martin, and what he’s done in the game and what he’s done since he’s come back to Celtic, because he’s given a lot of energy to the club, of course, a lot of energy to the players, with a club that was obviously very, very down.

Rangers’ 3-1 defeat in Porto summed up their European exertions this season.

Starting brightly, with some success – see wins over Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen.

A quick collapse – see the 6-0 humiliation by Club Brugge in their Champions League play-off second leg.

Then a disappointing second half – see an underwhelming Europa League campaign.

Just one win in the league phase this season – coming last week against Ludogorets – and it all came far too late. By that point, they were effectively out already.

Now attention turns to the league to see if Danny Rohl’s domestically resurgent Rangers can rescue a season which began in such tumultuous circumstances.

“I’m now fully focused on the league,” Rohl told the media just a few minutes after the final ball had been kicked in Portugal.

“We have a mission and for this, we have all our energy now.”

Perhaps it will end up being a blessing for the Rangers head coach. He is on a fantastic run domestically – winning his last seven – and the lack of European distraction might help them sharpen that focus.

Three of the next four games will truly test their credentials. First up, it’s Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday afternoon (14:00 GMT).

After games against dwindling Kilmarnock and Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup it’s Motherwell at Fir Park on 11 February (20:00).

Four days later, they welcome Hearts to Ibrox – who have beaten them twice already this season. Three of the top five, two away from home. It’s a huge test of their credentials.

“We are now fully focused on 15 match days in the league and it helps us to have two normal weeks,” Rohl added. “It’s the first time we can really train and can be fresh.

“We did well with the rotation. The next two-and-a-half weeks we have big games ahead and we need everyone. Some players will come back, some trained today.

With three signings through the door, Rangers’ transfer window has certainly got pass marks so far.

Tochi Chukwuani has been a solid addition in midfield and Andreas Skov Olsen is considered a sizeable coup, given the Danish winger’s pedigree.

We’re yet to see left-back Tuur Rommens in a Rangers shirt, but his signature has given them much-needed depth at left-back.

Rohl has hinted there is more to come, but where?

Bojan Miovski has eight goals this season – three of which came against Annan Athletic – while Chermiti has just four. The lack of firepower has been noted.

But instead, all of the transfer rumours swirling around Ibrox whisper about outgoings. Chermiti, Djeidi Gassama, Danilo – all attacking options, all linked with the exit door.

Perhaps that is why Rohl said, before the game, that he expects “the next three, four days to be a little crazy,” and admitted he is looking for an attacking player.

Aston Villa match-winner Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba was described as “shy and nervous” by team-mate Morgan Rogers – but the teenager has announced himself on the European stage.

The 19-year-old’s late goal sealed Villa’s 3-2 comeback victory against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday to help them finish second in the Europa League league phase.

At the final whistle Amadou Onana pushed Jimoh-Aloba towards the Holte End for a series of fist bumps, each greeted by cheers from the home support.

With Ollie Watkins coming off with a first-half hamstring injury and a below-par Villa 2-0 down early in the second half, Unai Emery’s side had needed a hero.

Jimoh-Aloba, who made his Premier League debut last month, came off the bench in the 66th minute and netted a fine winner with just three minutes remaining – after Rogers and Tyrone Mings had got Villa back into the game.

“It’s a proud moment for me on my European debut,” Jimoh-Aloba told TNT Sports after the match.

England playmaker Rogers was in West Bromwich Albion’s academy at the same time as Jimoh-Aloba – and believes the teenager will come out of his shell.

Rogers told BBC Sport: “It’s a really nice moment for him, he works hard in training and gives his all. He is probably a bit shy and nervous more than I’d like but he shows his quality in training.

“We know he’s got the ability, it’s about applying himself. I knew he was locked in and engaged and that’s what we want from him.

“Sometimes he can get a bit disengaged – that’s where you can probably lose it. As a young player I was exactly the same, when you get older you are focused more.

“He was focused the moment he came on and it was a really nice moment for him.

“I’ve taken a shine to him, he’s a really nice kid and we like when we train with him and want him to do well.”

With Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans all out injured, Emery handed 18-year-old midfielder George Hemmings his full Villa debut while academy graduate Kadan Young also came off the bench.

“It’s very important to have chances to play the young players, the opportunity for them to show their progress. I think they did a very good job,” Emery said.

The teenager joined Villa from West Brom in 2023 when he was 16 and was already an England Under-16 and Under-17 international.

He made his senior debut as a substitute in the Carabao Cup win at Wycombe in September 2024 and a year ago was included in Villa’s Premier League squad against Leicester.

The attacking midfielder signed a long-term deal at Villa in October 2024 and helped them lift the FA Youth Cup last season, scoring in the final against Manchester City.