Kasper Schmeichel is at Celtic breaking point and Martin O'Neill has eight reasons to revive ruthless streak

Martin O'Neill has never shirked a big call at Celtic.

Nor has he ever been short of goalkeeping dilemmas across his three spells in charge - and Kasper Schmeichel’s calamitous form has now become a full-blown headache. O’Neill largely trusted Rab Douglas during his first iconic stint. The big man was mostly a safe pair of hands, but his jersey was never beyond question.

Celts splashed out £1million on Magnus Hedman from Coventry City in 2002, the Sweden international billed as an upgrade between the sticks. Instead, high-profile European blunders saw him flop at Parkhead.

Then came Javier Sanchez Broto, who arrived on a short-term deal from Livingston and somehow ended up a cult hero. Brought in as emergency cover for crocked Douglas and Hedman, the Spaniard was ironically the standout performer of the three during his brief spell.

Had Broto not been cup-tied on the Road to Seville, he may well have staked a serious claim to start the UEFA Cup Final. But that decision was taken out of O’Neill’s hands.

A year later, David Marshall’s fairytale emergence turned O’Neill’s head again. Heroics against Barcelona and Rangers saw the teenager handed the gloves for a sustained spell before Douglas was eventually restored as No1.

The point? O’Neill has been ruthless before.

He must be ruthless again - and for his current No1’s own good.

When supporters start booing their own player, you know the situation has reached breaking point. Thursday night felt like an all-time career low for Schmeichel.

At 39, the Dane’s best days are clearly behind him. Perhaps this season has been one campaign too far for one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation.

Had Schmeichel not been chasing one final World Cup with Denmark, would the