First glance suggests Alexis Mac Allister simply didn't have any other choice.
In one corner, a team on the ascendant, back in the Champions League after a short absence with a manager who has won one trophy in his first season, reached another final and who is expected to further expensively strengthen his squad this summer.
And in the other there's a team who have posted their worst full season under the present boss, have been consigned to the Europa League for the first time in seven years and have just seen two of their most decorated squad members walk away for nothing while being forced to step away from the pursuit of their long-time summer transfer target due to financial restraints.
