The numbers that underline O'Neill's massive contribution

[BBC]

In the wake of Celtic's derby victory over Rangers, my mind wandered to the traditional gift for someone celebrating their 21st: the 'key to the door'.

It's possible, of course, honorary entry to Parkhead had already been granted to Martin O'Neill after his first spell in charge in the early 2000s produced three league titles, two near misses by a point and a goal respectively and a Uefa Cup final in Seville.

If not, that key may very well be presented shortly. O'Neill has steered Celtic to within three seismic games of the most unlikely league and cup double arguably in the club's entire history.

Brief pause for reflection, therefore, is now warranted. Twenty one years after he thought he had bid a permanent farewell to Glasgow's East End, the Northern Irishman has just celebrated his 21st Premiership game of this season for the ages. A milestone that, especially at the grand old age of 74, deserves a ceremonial bauble.

And here's why: the league statistics alone underline O'Neill's massive contribution. Played 21, won 17, drawn 2, lost 2. Put another way, 53 points claimed from a possible 63.

A Premiership win ratio of 81%. Derek McInnes has had Hearts at the top of the table since late September. On a win rate of 64% (admittedly from a larger sample size of 36 games). The same, curiously, as Danny Rohl at Rangers after 18 victories from his 28 Premiership games since arriving in October.

Let's assume for the purposes of argument that O'Neill gets the two wins he needs to overtake Hearts at the summit and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. 1986, anyone?

It would leave the former Leicester manager's total points tally at 59 from a possible 69 in 23 games across two spells. In 60% of Celtic's season, in other words, O'Neill would be responsible for a whopping 72% of the club's points.

One can but wonder how much easier things would have been had O'Neill not been asked to vacate the hotseat for Wilfried Nancy's chaotic month-long experiment late last year.

For the record, Celtic shipped 12 of the 18 points available to the Frenchman while his predecessor Brendan Rodgers took 17 from the first nine games before his shock resignation.

That O'Neill has been able to emerge from both periods of relative chaos and in-fighting to mount a credible challenge to the pace-setters from Gorgie is an achievement in itself.

He is one more win away (and a draw may even be enough) from setting up a winner-takes-all decider with Hearts on Saturday.