Celtic managers past and present will be remembered for their colourful spells at Parkhead, some gaining more adulation than others.

Martin O’Neill would come in right at the top of that bracket, and his influence during a five-year reign in Glasgow’s east end helped set the scene for Celtic’s dominance of Scottish football in the 21st century.

The 72-year-old claimed three Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup at the club, restoring a conveyor belt of silverware missing for much of the previous decade.

Of course, he also led Celtic to the UEFA Cup final in 2003, giving fans memories for a lifetime such as defeating Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, and Boavista on the Road to Seville.

Successful periods at Aston Villa, Sunderland and then as the Republic of Ireland’s international boss rank as the most memorable of his exploits after leaving the Hoops before he departed his last club job at Nottingham Forest in June 2019.

Despite his managerial career seemingly being a thing of the past, reports have suggested the Irishman could be set for a dramatic return to the dugout.

Martin O’Neill lined up for managerial return

According to Fanatik, Rapid Bucharest majority owner Dan Sucu is lining up a shock move to try and tempt O’Neill to Eastern Europe.

They sit at the foot of their Liga I Championship group; however, the three-time Romanian top-flight winners could finish as high as fourth position before the campaign concludes.

Marius Sumudica and Mircea Lucescu have also been spoken to about the vacant position, with former Fiorentina stopper Bogdan Lobont in caretaker charge until a successor is found for Cristiano Bergodi.

During an interview with The Telegraph earlier this year, O’Neill admitted that his time as a manager had come to an end, albeit reluctantly.

Could the lure of managing in Romania tempt him to change his mind? Only time will tell on that front, though it would be a major turn-up for the books, taking his previous comments into account.

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