Once the initial shock at his return passed, many Celtic fans will have been pleased to see the club legend return.
The Celtic powerbrokers, who have been engulfed in heat from the fans, knew what they were doing with this one.
O’Neill was even able to tip Hearts for the title – and stand by his prediction – and not have his reputation tarnished.
Even if things hadn’t gone to script on Sunday – or at any stage during his interim tenure – his place in club folklore is fixed. But a semi-final victory against Rangers has certainly lifted spirits.
Supporters sought out the songbook from two decades ago and serenaded him at the national stadium. It was just another surreal moment in a surreal week.
O’Neill doesn’t have the same calibre of player to call upon as he did in his first spell. There is no Lubo Moravcik, no Neil Lennon, no Henrik Larsson.
But there is a group of players keen to prove their worth.
Outside of the aforementioned Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney, the four others involved in Celtic’s goals – scorers Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand – who has been advised to “get a couple DVDs of the Swede” – and providers Arne Engels and Auston Trusty – were latterly not favoured by Rodgers.
Whether O’Neill sticks around for the final or not, he has at worst provided a path for players who otherwise might have been rocking up suited and booted and seated in the stands.
On that note of attire, the final mention in this mad week must go to O’Neill’s matchday fit.
The sight of him adorning an Adidas Originals tracksuit on the touchline was as surprising as anything else out of Parkhead this week.
“The other tracksuit was really tight nylon,” explained O’Neill of what he wore against Falkirk. “I looked like Robin Hood!”
A vintage look for a vintage manager, who might just be breaking out the shirt and tie and circling 14 December on the calendar.