Martin O’Neill’s absence won’t affect our window shopping, says Celtic assistant Shaun Maloney after Rugby Park romp
Celtic assistant coach Shaun Maloney insists the club’s transfer plans have not been disrupted despite Martin O’Neill’s recent health scare.
O’Neill spent time in hospital last week where he underwent a small procedure, before being released over the weekend.
The Celtic boss was not in the dugout for their 5-1 hammering of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park but he did speak to the players beforehand in a team meeting.
Celtic were hugely impressive as they ripped Killie to shreds, with £11million club-record signing Kasper Hogh firing his first goals for the club with a first-half hat-trick.
Danish striker Hogh was named man of the match and led the line superbly, showing the quality that made him such a top operator for Bodo Glimt in the Champions League.
Celtic are still expected to be active in the remaining weeks of the transfer window – and Maloney insists it’s still business as usual as they look to add more quality and firepower.
Celtic assistant Shaun Maloney insists it is business as usual in the transfer market
Kasper Hogh shows his love for the Celtic fans after scoring a first-half hat-trick at Rugby Park
Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann says he takes full responsibility for their defensive mistakes
Asked if the situation with O’Neill had forced all transfer plans to be put on the backburner, Maloney said: ‘I don’t think so.
‘The last time I spoke to Michael [Nicholson, chief executive] and Martin was after training on Saturday, 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.’
As things stand, there is no set timeline on a return for O’Neill, with Celtic’s next game coming against Dundee United at Tannadice in the League Cup next weekend.
The 74-year-old is continuing to recover, with Maloney revealing that the Celtic boss had spoken in a team meeting before the trip to Killie.
‘We didn’t have contact during the game,’ said the Parkhead assistant. ‘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’m glad though. 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.
‘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 – and if the doctors are happy – then he’ll just come back in.’
On the impact of hat-trick hero Hogh, Maloney added: ‘It was huge for him. He’s really settled in quickly.
‘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 No 9.’
Meanwhile, Killie boss Neil McCann insisted he would take full responsibility after his team were ripped apart in another defensive horror show.
Killie have shipped nine goals across their opening two matches and sit bottom of the league table, with a section of fans voicing their frustration at full-time.
McCann’s side now face a blockbuster clash against bitter rivals Ayr Utd in the League Cup on Friday night as they look to bounce back.
‘I’ll take responsibility for that today,’ said the Killie boss. ‘I asked the boys to try and play and be brave. I’m not one to take a backwards step with these things, so I’ll take responsibility for that.
‘I know we made some mistakes on the pitch but I went quite quite aggressive today and quite open. We’ve made some errors within that and we were punished by a really good Celtic side. When their tails are up you can see how well they move it around.
‘I take responsibility and we’ll work on it this week. We’ve got a massive game on Friday in the cup against Ayr United and we’ll look to put things right.’
