‘I don’t even know when it is’ – but will O’Neill be Celtic manager for final?

When the Scottish League Cup wraps up in May, will Martin O’Neill still be in charge of Celtic? Or will the holders take charge of the quarter-final, semi-final, and final of the current season’s competition?

After guiding his side to a 3-1 win over Rangers at Hampden in extra time, the interim manager said, “I don’t even know when the final is.”

People would assume they were at it if almost no other manager admitted such blissful ignorance. But not 73-year-old O’Neill.

The Northern Irishman claimed earlier this week that he had no idea what fixtures would be waiting for him when he took over for Celtic 20 years after his first. He was given 10 minutes to agree to a return to Parkhead on Monday.

On Wednesday, Falkirk came out on top. Then Rangers on Sunday. His 17th victory following his 28th Old Firm game.

O’Neill later admitted that he would “secretly” love to still be in charge by the 14 December final against St Mirren.

He did, however, reiterate his belief that the club would “make inroads” for a permanent replacement in the upcoming international window.

In a moment, we’ll make the comparisons to Robin Hood, but O’Neill’s merry men deserve mention.

The Celtic squad appeared devoid of imagination and intention a week prior to Celtic’s comfortably defeat by Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

In what turned out to be Brendan Rodgers’ final interview, he asserted that he was more driven than ever to change their fortunes. He resigned just over 24 hours later.

O’Neill responded to the request to pick up the pieces in a very short amount of time.

There was a sense of unity and urgency in Celtic’s spirited four-goal win over Falkirk in midweek, his first game back on the touchline.

The real test, however, was against Danny Rohl’s somewhat resurrected Rangers, with all due respect to John McGlynn’s side.

Celtic dominated the opening period. After a lively attacking display, they had a one goal lead at half-time and had a man advantage.

However, “a loss of momentum” in the second half allowed the Rangers’ 10 men to rally back, force extra time, and give an already ill-fated statesman a few more years.

O’Neill told BBC Scotland, “It was an incredible game. We scored first, but one offside goal was denied, and we did great.

We had the upper hand, but I was telling Assistant Shaun Maloney that we needed a goal to end the game, and Rangers got the penalty six or seven minutes later.

Many Celtic fans were relieved to see the club legend return once the initial shock over his return had subsided.

The Celtic powerbrokers were aware of what they were doing with this one despite the fans’ scorching heat.

O’Neill even managed to win Hearts for the title and maintain his word without having his reputation ruined.

His place in club folklore is still intact, even if things hadn’t exactly gone according to plan on Sunday or at any point during his interim leadership. However, a semi-final victory over Rangers has undoubtedly boosted spirits.

At the national stadium, fans serenaded him while he searched for the songbook from a decade ago. Another bizarre moment from a bizarre week.

O’Neill has fewer players to turn to than he did during his first spell. No Henrik Larsson, Neil Lennon, or Lubo Moravcik are present.

However, there are some players who are determined to demonstrate their worth.

The four other players in Celtic’s goalscorers Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand, who have been advised to “get a couple DVDs of the Swede,” and providers Arne Engels and Auston Trusty, were latterly not in favor of Rodgers.

O’Neill has at least provided a path for players who otherwise might have been rocking up suited, booted, and seated in the stands whether or not they stay for the final.

The final mention in this mad week must go to O’Neill’s matchday fit, on that note of attire.

Surprisingly, nothing else from Parkhead this week was the sight of him adoring an Adidas Originals tracksuit on the touchline.

O’Neill referred to the tracksuit against Falkirk as “really tight nylon.” “I resembled Robin Hood”!