When Robbie Keane was appointed Republic of Ireland captain in 2006, a debate was sparked off about how good the striker actually is.
It may have started within a huddle of journalists, who questioned whether he was the right kind of player to lead his country, but it quickly mushroomed into a national argument.
Many of the same points that were made for and against Keane back then are now being used as fodder in the latest dispute - does his loan move from Tottenham Hotspur to Celtic signal the beginning of the end of his days as a top player?
A neutral observer might wonder why a player would leave a team who are currently fourth in the Premier League to join a club struggling to stay in the SPL title race. Perhaps they would offer up the solution that he is no longer considered as good as he once was. Surely that is why Harry Redknapp agreed to let the Keane, now 29, leave on deadline day. Or could it be a switch that simply makes sense for the player and the two clubs involved?
Tottenham could be accused of being spoilt for choice in the striking department, so an out-of-form Keane doesn't really suit them right now. Keane needs to rediscover the form that made him such a crowd favourite at White Hart Lane and this move allows him to do just that. Celtic, meanwhile, are crying out for an experienced striker that can lead their team forward.
"It's a good move," Redknapp said. "Robbie needs to play. He's too good a player not to be starting here regularly. He's not a happy man when he's not playing regularly. To go to Celtic is a dream come true for him anyway. I think it's a move that appeals to him."
Keane arrives at Parkhead at a time when confidence is low. Rumours have been circulating, consistency has been missing and a mini clear-out has just been completed. It is the perfect time for him to come in and lift the team out of their misery.
With a chance to step back into the spotlight and remind his doubters what he is capable of, Keane possesses all of the qualities needed to become the latest messiah in a hooped jersey. It is just up to him now to shake off his temporary lapse in form and get back doing what he does best.
And what the clever frontman does best is to dismantle an opposition's defensive gameplan with a precise pass, angled run or moment of individual brilliance. Oh, and he can score goals, too. Just look at the stats that show he is the tenth all-time top scorer in the Premier League as well as being top scorer for his country.
The debate will rage on about whether he can still score goals and wreak havoc on defences after half a season with Tottenham that saw him produce just six goals in the league. But the best thing for him is to be taken out of his comfort zone and be challenged, which is exactly what this loan move represents.
Columns will be written, forum posts will be typed and radio phone-in shows will be recorded all on the issue of whether Keane can still deliver the magic touch that has seen seven clubs fall for his charms throughout his well-travelled career.
The next few months should reveal all, but the arguments will still go on because Keane is the type of player who splits opinion. Some consider him a genius with the ball at his feet while others view him as an over-hyped and ordinary striker.
Celtic fans will certainly be hoping that the 'genius' side can turn up in time to help them close the gap on league leaders Rangers. If he can, then he will be treated like a king and his career will get the boost that it so desperately needs.