The smattering of boos that rang out around Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon suggested that the simmering unrest that has been dormant at the club in recent weeks has simply lingered under the surface.
With civil unrest threatening to take the supporters to the car park during a turbulent fortnight in December on the back of defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts, there was a restoration of equilibrium with the win over Rangers the day before Hogmonay.
If that victory smoothed over the troubled waters, things are starting to look a little choppy once again.
Celtic went into the winter break with the expectancy that January would bring with it new signings and a chance to show the rest a clean pair of heels at the top of the table.
Yet, there are just days of the window remaining with only one new addition so far, the £3m addition of Nicolas Kuhn, a scenario that was already prompting grumbles.
But the weekend performance against Ross County – who hit the bar during the game – would suggest that things aren’t as fluent as a five-point lead at the top of the table should suggest.
There is an argument to say that Celtic fans have become entitled with the success they have enjoyed across this millennium in terms of where they are now as a club and where they have been in times gone by.
Indeed, it was interesting to catch the tone of Brendan Rodgers post-match as he lamented the Celtic Park pitch as well as the reaction of disgruntled supporters. ‘I have had that since I have been here. If it’s not the result, it’s me. If it’s not me, it is the board…’
So far he has hung onto his best assets with a move for Matt O’Riley rebuffed while Cameron Carter-Vickers has been locked in on a long-term deal. He will know himself that January is notoriously difficult to bring players in when clubs do not want their players to head out mid-season.
But, ultimately, where Celtic need reinforcements has been clear across the opening months of the season. This time a year ago there was an efficiency when it became apparent that Josip Juranovic was leaving with the arrival of Alistair Johnston ensuring a seamless transition; it can be done.
The clock ticking going into the final days of the window is nothing new but Celtic may live to regret their tardiness when it comes to getting reinforcements in.
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