O'Neill's return chance hinges on Kilmarnock clash as Maloney reveals Celtic boss' health
Martin O'Neill could yet stand beside Shaun Maloney in the Celtic dugout for Sunday’s trip to Kilmarnock after the 74-year-old was discharged from hospital on Thursday.
The Celtic manager underwent a minor medical procedure earlier this week and is now recovering at home, with Maloney reporting the veteran to be in ‘good form’ following a visit on Wednesday evening.
‘Yeah, I went to see him last night, so it was really positive,’ Maloney said. ‘He got out of hospital yesterday. He was in good form last night. Loads better than he was Monday, Tuesday. Hopefully, that continues.’
The assistant manager stressed there is no fixed timeline for O'Neill’s return, leaving open the possibility of him being available for the Scottish Premiership fixture. ‘No, no timeline. So, even for the game at the weekend, it’s a sort of day-to-day. We saw him last night with regards to the preparation for the game. So, he wasn’t in today.’
Maloney added that a final call on O'Neill’s availability would be made on Friday, with the decision expected to dictate whether he takes his place in the dugout for the match. ‘I’ll speak to him this afternoon and then he’ll make a call for tomorrow. And then I’d imagine he’ll make the call (for the match). If it’s this weekend, great. If it isn’t, then we’ll prepare for it without him.’
Celtic began their title defence with a one-goal win over Dundee on Monday, though O'Neill had already flagged the need for further recruitment beyond the arrivals of Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh.
The club are understood to be finalising a deal with Real Oviedo for Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan, with a potential fee that could rise to £10 million. However, Maloney indicated no new signings will arrive before Sunday’s match.
‘I don’t see any ins or anything like that this weekend,’ he said. ‘The manager’s the main voice, the main call. I think this season our responsibility is when the recruitment team come with their lists of players, it’ll be all the staff who’ll watch and give our opinion when asked. The manager will always have the final call. That’s how we work.’
Supporters have expressed frustration at the pace of Celtic’s squad rebuilding, with Daizen Maeda among a dozen players to have left the club. Maloney acknowledged the sentiment but emphasised the practical realities of squad building.
‘I think that’s fair, but I think probably everyone in the club would say that,’ he said. ‘As a coach or as a manager, you always want these players as quickly as possible. We’ve done probably over 40 sessions now in pre-season, so you’d love them on the very first day, but you’re also realistic. In an ideal world, yes, but I think we also have to work with the squad that we have.’
Celtic have received a significant boost with the return to training of Jota, the Portuguese winger sidelined for the entirety of last season after a cruciate ligament injury sustained during the 2024-25 title decider at Tannadice.
While O'Neill previously suggested October as a potential return date, Maloney described the player’s return to training as a major milestone. ‘Yes, it’s really positive for us. I’ve never worked with him. I’ve watched him, obviously, but we’re all excited to get him back. He’s still a matter of weeks, but it is really positive.’