Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been released from hospital following a minor medical procedure earlier this week, and his assistant Shaun Maloney believes there is an outside chance he could be present for Sunday's clash against Kilmarnock.
Maloney visited O'Neill after his discharge on Thursday and reported that the 74-year-old is in good spirits and recovering well at home. "He got out of hospital yesterday," Maloney said. "He was in good form last night. Loads better than he was Monday, Tuesday. Hopefully, that continues."
While there is no definitive timeline for O'Neill's return to work, Maloney indicated that decisions regarding his presence at matches will be made on a day-to-day basis. "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)," Maloney stated. "If it's this weekend, great. If it isn't, then we'll prepare for it without him."
Celtic began their season with a victory over Dundee on Monday, with O'Neill at the helm. However, the manager has expressed a need for reinforcements to the squad, which currently includes new signings Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh. The club is reportedly nearing a deal for Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan, with negotiations ongoing with Real Oviedo for a potential fee that could rise to £10 million.
Maloney acknowledged that the pace of recruitment has led to frustration among supporters, especially with players like Daizen Maeda having departed. He stated that while the coaching staff would prefer new players to integrate sooner, they must work with the current squad and integrate new arrivals as quickly as possible when they join.
In other team news, winger Jota has returned to training after missing the entirety of last season due to a crucial anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during the 2024-25 title-winning campaign. While O'Neill had previously suggested an October return, Maloney expressed excitement about Jota's progress, noting that while still weeks away from full fitness, his return to the training pitch is a significant positive step.