Celtic assistant manager Shaun Maloney has revealed that gaffer Martin O’Neill is in ‘good form’ after being released from hospital.

The Glasgow club announced on Wednesday that the 74-year-old former Republic of Ireland boss had undergone a ‘small procedure’. Maloney gave an upbeat prognosis ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, though he does not know if or when O’Neill will be back in the dugout.

‘I went to see him last night,’ Maloney said. ‘He got out of hospital yesterday. He was in good form last night, loads better than he was Monday, Tuesday. Hopefully those sort of positive feelings continue.

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Head Coach Martin O’Neil looks on. Pic: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

‘No timeline. So even for the game at the weekend, it’s sort of day-to-day. We saw him last night, with regards to the preparation for the game, and so he wasn’t in today.

‘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 game at the weekend. If it’s this weekend, great, if it isn’t, we’ll prepare for it without him.’

O’Neill, who had a successful period as Celtic boss between 2000 and 2005, signed a one-year deal in June to become permanent manager again after two interim spells last season ended in a William Hill Premiership title and Scottish Gas Scottish Cup double. Maloney contemplated the possibility of O’Neill missing the trip to Ayrshire.

GettyImages Martin O Neill and Celtic
Martin O’Neill. Pic: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

He said: ‘We’ll definitely miss him if he’s not there, but you also have to respect what’s happened in the last few days. The impact that he’s had since October has been nothing short of incredible, the things that he does with the players and the staff, so we will miss him, but we’ll be prepared. We’ll let him make the call.’

He also confirmed that Portuguese winger Jota was back in training after recovering from an ACL injury that has kept him out since April 2025, saying: ‘It’s really positive for us. We’re all excited to get him back. Today was the first day he had a full session in terms of doing every drill, but some of that was unopposed, so he’s still not in full contact.

‘So it’s still a matter of weeks. He’s still a bit to go, but it is really positive.’