Ronny Deila's judgement on football matters has been increasingly called into question by Celtic supporters this season.
A catalogue of costly failures in Europe coupled with some less than convincing showings domestically have led a growing number to ask if Deila is the right man to take the Parkhead club forward.
Many have now concluded, after losses to Malmo, Molde and Motherwell, the Norwegian isn’t and should be replaced to give his successor time to prepare for next season's Champions League qualifiers.
Yet, on the subject of Aiden McGeady, who has been persistently linked with a temporary move back to his former club, last week he was quite correct.
The winger, ostracised by Everton this season and overlooked by the Republic of Ireland as a result, is out of Celtic’s price range and would need to accept a substantial drop in wages to return on loan.
But moving to Parkhead and bolstering his old side’s bid to land the Premiership, League Cup and Scottish Cup would certainly be the wisest course of action for the player.
The 29-year-old has no prospect of featuring for Martin O'Neill's side in the Euro 2016 finals in France in the summer if he remains at Goodison Park.
He has played just 45 minutes of football for Roberto Martinez's side this season - in a Capital One Cup game against Barnsley way back in August when he was substituted at half-time with his side trailing 2-0.
It is fair to suggest that, having moved to the English Premier League from Spartak Moscow in the cash-rich Russian Premier League back in 2014, McGeady takes home a decent coin at Everton.
Joining another club in the top flight down south, where Norwich City and Sunderland both expressed interest in taking him in the summer, would ensure similar levels of remuneration and is the most likely resolution to his current situation.
However, is becoming embroiled in a scrap to avoid relegation at the bottom end of the table the best way for such a mercurial talent to rediscover his best form after months of inactivity? I would think not.
McGeady would be well advised to take a deep breath, accept a cut in his salary and return home to the club where it all started for him. He should take a step back in order to move forward once again.
The arrival of someone who is, on his day, worth the admission fee would hearten fans and energise a Celtic side in need of a lift. Given the repeated failure of James Forrest and Gary Mackay-Steven to make an impact he would certainly feature heavily.
Celtic were, by all accounts, utterly uninspired in their fortuitous 1-0 win over Partick Thistle at home on Saturday. Who better to provide a much-needed creative spark in the final third than their former prodigy?
Deila has stressed there will be no marquee signings in the coming weeks. The days of Craig Bellamy, Roy Keane and Robbie Keane arriving are in the past. Still, the Scottish champions should seriously consider the on and off field benefits of bringing in such a skilful individual.
Many wide players experience, due to their reliance on pace, premature ends to their playing days. McGeady’s devotion to his profession, technical excellence and keen intelligence should ensure he doesn’t suffer the same fate.
He has, despite the difficult spell he is currently experiencing, much to offer a club and his country in the years to come. Makin g the correct move at this juncture, though, will be important.
AND ANOTHER THING
THE January transfer window is, managers are constantly telling anyone who will listen, not the best time to recruit players. Nevertheless, important signings which can make a significant difference to a team's fortunes can still be made.
The business conducted in Scotland in the coming weeks will certainly be vital to the fortunes of many major clubs in the remainder of the 2015/16 campaign - not least to Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Hibs and Rangers.
Mark Warburton has purposely kept his squad at Ibrox lean in order not to create unhappiness among those not getting a regular start.
But there are, despite the 4-2 win over Hibs at home last Monday and emphatic 6-0 triumph over Dumbarton away on Saturday, suspicions Warburton lacks the strength in depth needed to secure the second tier title.
Bringing in Harry Forrester, a winger who he previously worked with at Brentford, on a short term deal was a good start. Back-up keeper Maciej Gostomski is being tipped to join him. Who follows will effectively determine whether Rangers secure promotion to the Premiership.
AND FINALLY
THE new year got off to a desperately sad start with the passing at the weekend, at the age of just 41, of the Scottish Sun football writer Ronnie MacKay after a long illness.
A former colleague at the Press and Journal, Ronnie was a dedicated, knowledgeable and well-connected reporter. My thoughts are with his wife Jane, son Jack and family at this difficult time.
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