Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has been discharged from hospital, but assistant Shaun Maloney says there is no timeline for his return to the dugout. O’Neill underwent what has been described as a small procedure and left hospital on Thursday.
Maloney describes positive visit
Maloney said he visited O’Neill and found him in good form, describing the meeting as really positive. He added that the 74-year-old was much improved compared with earlier in the week.
Maloney explained that O’Neill’s involvement remains day-to-day. He said the manager was consulted on preparations for the Kilmarnock game but was absent on the day Maloney spoke to reporters.
Maloney said he would speak to O’Neill again and that the manager would then decide on his involvement in training and the weekend fixture. He said it would be O’Neill’s call whether he is present against Kilmarnock, adding that the club would prepare regardless of the outcome.
Squad and transfer matters
Maloney said it would feel strange if he had to take charge at Rugby Park in O’Neill’s absence. He praised the impact O’Neill has had on players and staff since October, calling it nothing short of incredible.
He said Celtic would miss O’Neill if he is not present but stressed the club respected the situation. Maloney added that the squad includes brilliant senior players capable of stepping up if required.
On transfer business, Maloney said he did not expect any new signings, including a reported bid for Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan, to be completed before the Kilmarnock match. He said such matters remained exclusively between O’Neill and chief executive Michael Nicholson.
Maloney acknowledged known interest in midfielder Arne Engels and right-back Alistair Johnston. He said he had no reason to believe either player would be unavailable for the squad to face Kilmarnock.
O’Neill was given a one-year contract at the start of the season after leading Celtic to a Scottish league and cup Double, having previously served two spells as caretaker manager. He was in the dugout as Celtic began the new Scottish Premiership campaign with a 1-0 win over Dundee on Monday.
