Scottish Premiership selections: Livingston v Kilmarnock, Jordi Altina and Martin O’Neill in focus

When Martin O’Neill last captained Celtic on December 3, he must have thought his coaching career was over once again.

Emerging from the managerial wilderness for his first role in six years following the acrimonious departure of Brendan Rodgers, O’Neill has won seven of his eight matches in charge and restored confidence to both Celtic fans and supporters.

If possible, he has enhanced his already lofty reputation at Parkhead after winning seven major titles in his first stint from 2000-05.

He handed over an in-form side to new coach Wilfried Nancy, but returned to a team stripped of that confidence after six defeats in eight matches, including a loss in the League Cup final to which O’Neill had led them.

Nancy lasted only 33 days in Glasgow, apparently not appreciating what had worked during his predecessor’s temporary rule.

The Frenchman abandoned O’Neill’s 4-3-3 formation in favor of a flawed 3-4-3 formation and scored goals at an alarming rate.

Not only did he lose at Hampden, but he also lost to Rangers in his final game as manager, after which midfielder Luke McCowan said: “When has it ever been this bad? It never has.” Hardly a strong endorsement for a manager who would be fired a day later.

O’Neill must now select the same group of players for the second time this season if Celtic are to chase down Hearts and Rangers in their quest for a fifth successive Premier League title.

That mission begins against Dundee United on Saturday.