Martin O’Neill has embarked on a shock return to Celtic, bringing with him one of his former Aston Villa players.

The 73-year-old’s interim appointment - 20 years after leaving Celtic for Villa - was confirmed on Monday evening following Brendan Rodgers' resignation.

"I was asked if I'd come in and hold proceedings until they found a permanent manager,” O’Neill revealed. “I had 10 minutes to make up my mind, which I did. No hesitation."

He will be flanked by Shaun Maloney, whom he signed from Celtic in January 2007. The former winger later returned to Celtic 18 months later.

O’Neill joked at his unveiling that he was yet to vent his frustration at Maloney’s decision to rejoin Celtic all those years ago.

When asked how the dynamic would work with the former Villa player, O’Neill said: “If this had been 20-odd years ago, I would have definitely been dishing out all the instructions.

“But since this young man has been a manager, I’d have to be careful...