I also have no doubt that the experiences he will have learned during this season's Champions League campaign will play a significant part in that journey.

If you look at the way Celtic have progressed from last season's Europa League campaign, kicked on again at the highest level in Europe, then that is the proof that Neil has a real ability to absorb and develop from his experiences.

The great thing for him is that there is still a double to compete for and I am sure he will be very hungry to achieve that and to re-focus the players on it after the end of the Champions League Odyssey.

I think the priorities in that regard are to try and win the SPL title in as much style as possible and to make sure that when the season ends it does so with green and white ribbons around the Scottish cup.

For me that, on top of the progress made in Europe, would represent a fine season for the club and one the Celtic manager could rightly look back on with some pride.