Shaun Maloney dismissed concerns that Martin O’Neill’s health issue will prevent Celtic from strengthening their squad further in the final weeks of the summer transfer window after their William Hill Premiership win over Kilmarnock yesterday.
O’Neill, who the Scottish champions revealed had undergone a minor procedure in hospital last week, was not in Ayrshire for the Parkhead club’s second league match of the new season at Rugby Park.
But his assistant Maloney revealed after an emphatic 5-1 triumph which sent the visitors to the top of the league table on goal difference that the Northern Irishman had spoken to his players at the team hotel before they set off for the match.
The former Scotland internationalist also expressed confidence that Celtic, who are keen to sign Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan and Lithuanian midfielder Gvidas Gineitis, will not have any difficulties recruiting new players if the 74-year-old needs more time to recover.
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“We didn’t have contact during the game,” he said. “He was at the team hotel and took the team meetings, speaking to the players. Then he told the staff to get on with it.
“I’m glad we won. Maybe when the fifth went in it felt less stressful, but you never feel that comfortable. It might feel different watching.
“I’ve never experienced anything like what’s happened this week. The staff and the senior guys have been very good. I’m really pleased for the boss to get the win. The quicker we get him back the better.
“We’ll see how it goes day to day. He was much better today, he was in good form and he spoke to the group. You know what he’s like, his only instruction was to go and win. That’s what he does.
“We had a meeting on Saturday night. We went through his team selection, he picks what he thinks and he asks the staff. It was pretty normal. But I think it was a boost for all of us to see him. There is a real good bond between the boss and the players.
“I’m glad he spoke to them before we left. It had a real positive impact. It will be up to him when he feels good enough. If the doctors are happy then he’ll just come back in.
“Is he a poor patient? You’ll have to ask his wife! She’s been with him. I don’t know what he will have even like watching the game. I’ve watched games with him previously and watching our rivals’ games was difficult! So, I don’t know how he was today.”
Asked if O’Neill’s convalescence would complicate recruitment, Maloney said, “I don’t think so. The last time I spoke to Michael [chief executive Nicholson] and Martin was after training yesterday, so I don’t think so.
“Business is going on as normal. He’s still able to talk to Michael and the targets we have are still the same. We have to respect what he’s been through and trying to take some of the workload off him for a few days. But it’s all going on as normal and hopefully he’s back next week.”
Alastair Johnston, the Canadian right-back who Everton are keen to buy, failed to reappear for the second half and was replaced by Colby Donovan. But Maloney said, “He felt something. That was just precautionary we hope. He was brilliant, as were the two in front, Callum McGregor and Arne Engels.”
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The former Belgium assistant revealed that Engels, who is interesting several Premier League clubs in England, had stressed his commitment to the Celtic cause to him before the Kilmarnock game.
“Michael and Martin will be able to to tell you the exact strategy around any of the outgoings in relation to the Champions League games.
“Arne was as good as I’ve seen him,” he said. “I thought he was excellent at the end of last season. It’s been hard for him in pre-season. He’s been with us the whole time and it’s not been an easy summer for him.
“He wanted to see me yesterday and he was really strong in wanting to put a performance on today. I thought Arne and McGregor were brilliant. I’m a huge fan of Arne. He showed what he has today, his pass at the end for [James] Forrest was outstanding.”
Meanwhile, Maloney admitted he was delighted to see Celtic’s record £11.5m signing Kasper Høgh score a first half hat-trick and predicted the Danish internationalist will grow hugely in confidence as a result of his display.
“It was huge,” he said. “He’s really settled in quickly. He’s performance against Dundee was good. He missed some chances but that’s the life of a No 9. But I was really impressed with his all-round game.
“Kilmarnock go man-for-man and try to press you aggressive. But everything that went up to him stuck and he was a platform for our team. The goals kind of topped it off.
“We’ve watched him for a long, long time and we know if we create chances, he will score them. He haven’t known him for too long, but he has a big personality, which you need as a Celtic striker.
“In saying that, but Camilo Duran has come in with a different personality, he’s quiet and gets on with his work. He was brilliant as well. They are two very different personalities but they have both settled in really well.”
