Celtic fans would have been hoping to come into the weekend with a new boss after Brendan Rodgers unveiling - but the waiting game continues for the Parkhead punters.
Rumours were swirling on social media that the Northern Irishman was jetting into Glasgow to have his appointment officially announced on Friday - and that left fans tracking everything from flights to any talk on Twitter of an airport arrival. After the no show fans are moving onto the next date and as Celtic are a PLC they traditionally notify the Stock Exchange when there is a change in first-team manager - as they did when Ange Postecoglou left for Tottenham - meaning an appointment could be Monday at the earliest when the doors reopen for business.
While supporters have been desperate to find out news the controversial appointment has split the fan base - with some punters not quick to forget how he left the Scottish Premiership during his first spell. Rodgers ditched the Hoops for Leicester City midway through the campaign - leaving Neil Lennon to take over and seal a third consecutive Treble.
At the time angry banners were displayed at Celtic Park branding him a "fraud" - but tensions appear to be easing ahead of a second stint in the Parkhead dugout. However, ahead of his unveiling as boss for a second time, some Celtic heroes have named the key non-negotiable for the returning boss to complete his fan redemption - winning games.
Legendary Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill insisted he can turn things around quickly with results: "When Brendan left the football club some fans weren’t happy, so he has to overcome that. I think he knows that himself. But like anything else, you start winning football matches, that’s forgotten. The sooner you win the games, the better.
"He’s coming into a really winning side, he was successful himself as the manager. At the end of it all, there’ll be the occasional feeling he left under more difficult circumstances, but I think if you win the football matches, you’re forgiven."
Ex-Parkhead defender Mark Wilson also insists results - and a couple of big transfers - will get the punters on side quickly. He said: "Football fans hold things dear especially at Celtic, where if the manager says the right thing, the fans believe it 100-per-cent.
"They struggle to let it go. Brendan Rodgers had to come in and get results right away and the brand of football was good again. If a couple good signings came in the door, all would be forgiven."
Nadir Ciftci - who scored the first goal of the Rodgers' era - reckons that success is the final hurdle that Rodgers has to clear to win fans back. He told The Sun: "If some fans don’t want Brendan back, that’s not a problem. Fans are passionate about Celtic and they think with their hearts and they can be emotional.
"But if he comes back, then I have no doubt that he will bring even more success to the club. I think he will make them forget about him leaving the first time."
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