Unless this column gets overtaken by events and Christ knows it wouldn't be the first time Guus Hiddink will have been formally unveiled as Celtic's new head coach by the time you read this.
With the Dutchman reportedly to be handed a "war chest" of #20 million to hack out the dead wood and bring in fresh talent, now seems as good a time as any to cast a cold eye over the squad he is inheriting.
Let the bloodletting begin . . .

Jonathan Gould: Gould's overall form doesn't really cut the mustard. His indecisiveness on crosses brings back chilling memories of Peter Latchford in the early 1980s.
Verdict: Go.
Stewart Kerr: The 25-year-old is by far the most talented of the four goalkeepers at Celtic Park. Kerr should have been a full Scottish international by now, and it's a mystery why he had to wait until April to get a game this season.
Verdict: Stay.
Dmitri Kharin: Has looked rusty and out of match practice in his few appearances since arriving from Chelsea in the summer. Probably won't play again for the club.
Verdict: Go.
Tommy Boyd: A loyal, durable servant who was one of the best performers in 1998-99. But he has looked awkward and slow this year, and seems particularly susceptible to pacey attackers. At 35, he should surely be put out to pasture.
Verdict: Go.
Olivier Tibily: A dreadfully poor player. Has been continuously found out this season, and looks extremely error-prone and overly casual when under pressure.
Verdict: Go.
Alan Stubbs: The Englishman is the best centre-back in Scotland by a country mile, but always seems to be sniffing after a move back down south.
Verdict: Stay, unless he is determined to leave.
Stiphane Mahi: The most volatile performer in a team with its fair share of disciplinary problems. He has improved since arriving in 1997, but is not remotely in the same class as his opposite number at Rangers, Arthur Numan.
Verdict: Go.
Colin HealY: One of the few bright spots in a piss-poor season. Can play either at right-back or in central defence, and has looked useful when pitched into the team. Being the only Irishman currently at Celtic Park won't do him any harm either.
Verdict: Stay.
Vidar Riseth: It was typical of Celtic's luck that they should sign up the only ill-disciplined Scandinavian footballer in the world. The leggy Norwegian lacks concentration and often gives the ball away needlessly.
Verdict: Go.
Rafael Felipe Scheidt: Given that he's barely played since arriving in February, it is simply too early for any sort of judgment on the 24-year-old.
Verdict: N/A.
Johan Mjdllby: Like Arsenal's Fredrik Ljungberg, Mjdllby's often brilliant performances for Sweden are at odds with his unimpressive club form. Physically the strongest man at the club, he has gone steadily downhill since making his debut in the 5-1 win over the Huns 18 months ago.
Verdict: Go.
Jackie McNamara: A player who polarises the opinion of Celtic supporters. The floppy-fringed socialist is often magnificent going forward, but it's obvious that his defending is not up to scratch.
Verdict: Stay.
Regi Blinker: Nowhere near good enough. (Though that doesn't remotely excuse the booing he's received from his own supporters this season.)
Verdict: Go.
Stilian Petrov: Looked like a lost soul at first, but since January the young Bulgar has shown himself to be well able for the rough-and-tumble maelstrom that constitutes so much of Scottish football. Given time, he could form a dynamic central axis with Paul Lambert.
Verdict: Stay.
Stiphane Bonnes: You pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Verdict: Go.
Lubommr Moravcmk: Sometimes gives Celtic a magical factor X in midfield, but increasingly does it in home matches only. At 34, the Slovakian is not one for the long-term anyway.
Verdict: Go.
Eyal Berkovic: A flower of rare creativity in an arid midfield, with a right foot that could open the proverbial tin of beans? Or a pouting, petulant show-pony who only started turning it on long after the league had been lost to Rangers? I'm afraid I'm with Roddy Forsyth on this one.
Verdict: Go, in the name of the Torah, go.
Morten Wieghorst: Never conspicuously terrible, Wieghorst has repeatedly been exposed as inadequate for the job when it really matters. Does not score enough goals either.
Verdict: Go.
Paul Lambert: Lambert's frequent absences have contributed considerably to Celtic's current woes. The second best player at Parkhead, he has thankfully been secured on a long-term contract.
Verdict: Stay, hopefully as captain.
Henrik Larsson: Indispensable. The one genuinely world-class diamond in a team full of beaten dockets.
Verdict: Stay.
Bobby Petta: Simply not up to it. Some would say that Celtic should not be signing Ipswich Town players in the first place.
Verdict: Go.
Mark Viduka: His 40-odd goals in under 18 months at Celtic Park represent a phenomenal return. But there is little doubt now about his desire to quit the club
Verdict: Go.
Tommy Johnson: Johnson's overall goals-per-games ratio for Celtic is a good one. He looks like decent back-up for Larsson and whoever replaces Viduka next season.
Verdict: Stay.
Mark Burchill: Despite making his Scotland debut this season, the teenager has gone slightly backwards since hitting nine goals in 1998-99. He is not the Michael Owen-like messiah figure some Celtic fans seem to see him as, but has plenty of potential.
Verdict: Stay.