Celtic are already considering who will be their next permanent boss after Martin O'Neill ends his second spell as interim, and they'll be very keen to avoid a Wilfried Nancy-esque disaster.
The Hoops are locked in a thrilling title race from now until May, but right now they are the ones doing the chasing.
Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill reacts
Hearts sit five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, closing in on their first championship in 66 years and what would be the first non-Old Firm title since Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen back in 1985.
For Celtic, that is a situation that demands a strong run-in.
Drop more points, and the Jambos could be popping champagne at Tynecastle.
It has been a turbulent season at Parkhead. Wilfried Nancy was swiftly shown the door after he was chosen as the man to permanently replace Brendan Rodgers, with club legend O'Neill stepping in as interim manager once again to steady things.
And to his enormous credit, O'Neill has done exactly that.
This past weekend he guided Celtic to a Scottish Cup victory over Rangers at Ibrox on penalties — the second time this season he has knocked them out of cup football.
chris-sutton Related
Celtic begin plotting summer swoop to sign 15-goal Premiership rival who Chris Sutton loves
He would revive Celtic's frontline.
It took 120 minutes and a shootout to settle it, with Tavernier and Gassama both missing from the spot to send Celtic through to a Hampden semi-final against St Mirren.
O'Neill will remain in charge until the final whistle of the season, but Celtic's board are already thinking hard about what comes next.
Whoever takes the job permanently this summer will inherit a club with real pull — a Scottish Cup final potentially on the horizon, a fanbase that travels in huge numbers, and the lure of potential Champions League football if they can claw back that five-point gap and pip Hearts to the title.
That is still a serious package, and it should attract serious names.
Jens-Berthel-Askou-Motherwell
Several have already been floated, with Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou believed to be among the Celtic managerial contenders.
Other names have drifted in and out of the conversation. The job carries enormous prestige, and a manager who delivers silverware here can define their career.
Celtic could rival Man United for Portugal boss Roberto Martinez
Which brings us to the name that turned heads this week.
roberto-martinez-portugal-celtic
Speaking to talkSPORT Bet Casino, Rangers legend Ally McCoist revealed who he has been hearing linked with the Parkhead hotseat — and Portugal boss Roberto Martinez could be a real name to watch out for.
"I can see it being Roberto Martinez," McCoist said.
"There's an obvious connection there with Roberto — his wife is from the west of Scotland. I know that doesn't say a lot, other than they've been up there before and know the area.
"But no, the one I heard was Martinez."
It is an intriguing one.
The 52-year-old Spaniard is currently in charge of Portugal but has been widely expected to move on from that post.
He previously managed Belgium for six years and guided them to a World Cup third-place finish in 2018. Club football has been missing from his CV since leaving Everton in 2016 — and Celtic could be the perfect way back in.
Martinez won an FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2013 after a shock 1-0 win over Man City at Wembley, with the tactician also guiding Portugal to a 24/25 UEFA Nations League title.
rodrigo-mora-portugal-nations-league
Shaun Maloney's continued presence in the background at Celtic only adds to the intrigue.
What makes things more interesting is that, according to reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, Martinez is also on the managerial shortlist at Man United.
For now though, the priority is simple — chase Hearts down and make sure there is still a title to fight for come the final weeks of the season.
Mexico's Richard Ledezma celebrates scoring their first goal with Armando Gonzalez and Jesus Gallardo Related
Celtic racing Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund to sign 18-goal striker with bargain deal now possible
The Hoops are keen on signing a centre-forward.