MANY HOOPY RETURNS

A dream second Celtic debut for O'Neill as Kenny finds the net twice on a pulsating night for the champions

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

MARTIN O'NEILL rolled back the years by getting the tracksuit out again and even sticking on a pair of shiny old-school Copa Mundials.

And the returning hero gave Celtic the boot up the backside they needed.

It had been 20 years since the former Ireland boss last sat - or stood in front - of the Parkhead dugout yet in some ways it seemed like he'd never been away.

Hoops fans chanted his name and Celtic won at a canter on a nostalgic night in Glasgow's East End.

Sligo's Johnny Kenny blasted a first half double, Benji Nygren bashed in a third and Sebastian Tounekti tucked away number four to tee interim boss O'Neill and Shaun Maloney up for Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semifinal showdown with Rangers.

And it was probably just what the club needed after an incredible, dramatic few days.

Parkhead powerhouse Dermot Desmond was in town to see his stand-in staff do the business in perhaps the most straightforward league game of the season so far.

There was still the usual fan ire towards the directors' box - but O'Neill's bow brought a feel good factor that's been lacking for months.

Celts were banging on the door but it was a familiar tale of toil in the final third before Kenny finally made the breakthrough on the half hour.

Nygren - whod missed another couple of gilt-edged chances - thumbed the post with a snap shot in the box.

But this time Kenny was quick to react to bury the rebound.