Celtic legend Martin O'Neill reckons Ange Postecoglou was always up against it as the new Parkhead manager.
But now his feet are under the desk, the 2003 UEFA Cup finalist reckons the Aussie has enough about him to transform the Hoops' fortunes.
Postecoglou has won over the Celtic support within a few months with his style of attacking football, despite a narrow loss in the first derby of the season against Rangers.
And ahead of his first Europa League group stage clash against Real Betis, O'Neill is keeping an eye out.
He told the Scottish Sun: "It’s too early, possibly, to make significant judgment but he would have known what he was coming into, to a certain extent, and things were always going to be difficult at the start.
"There were comings and goings, but he’s been able to get a few players in and that’ll please him greatly.
"But it’s a new start for him and it’s for him now to put his own stamp on it and his mark on the club — and he can definitely do that."
Thursday night's opponents Real Betis marks a return to the city of O'Neill's biggest ever challenge as Celtic manager – Seville '03.
The Hoops face strong opposition in the form of Manuel Pellegrini's La Liga stars and O'Neill has his fingers crossed for a strong start.
He hopes Postecoglou can continue in continental competition beyond Christmas, which is made more likely by the new third-tier Europa Conference League.
"That would do oodles for him," he added. "Listen, you never want to think miles and miles ahead as a manager. But attaining European football after Christmas would be a big thing.
"You want to be involved in these competitions in February and March when it all kicks off again. So that, to me, should be the ambition.
"You can’t say Celtic should be contesting a final but the only way to be remotely close to that is by qualifying.
"I think the group stage is interesting. And I think that would be my message, get something to look forward to into the new year. Keep the Celtic fans in that European scene until then.
"In all honesty, they’ve probably been starved of that a little bit lately."
