Martin O'Neill Discharged from Hospital, Celtic Prepares for Kilmarnock Test
Martin O'Neill has been discharged from hospital and is “in good form”, with Celtic assistant Shaun Maloney offering a reassuring update on the 74-year-old’s recovery ahead of Sunday’s trip to Kilmarnock.
Celtic revealed on Wednesday that the Northern Irish manager had undergone what the club described as a “small procedure”. The news inevitably sparked concern around Parkhead, but the mood inside the camp has lifted since O’Neill’s release.
Maloney visited his manager on Wednesday night and painted a far brighter picture than earlier in the week.
“I went to see him last night. He got out of hospital yesterday,” Maloney said. “He was in good form last night, loads better than he was Monday, Tuesday. Hopefully those sort of positive feelings continue.”
Day to day on dugout return
Whether that improvement translates into a return to the technical area at Rugby Park remains uncertain. Celtic are treating the situation cautiously, with no fixed schedule for O’Neill’s comeback.
“No timeline,” Maloney admitted. “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.”
The message is clear: the team will be ready either way, but the decision rests with O’Neill and his medical advisers, not the fixture list.
Club calls for privacy
Celtic had earlier moved to calm speculation with a statement on their official website, confirming the procedure and asking for space as their manager recuperates.
“In response to speculation, we can confirm that Martin O'Neill has undergone a small procedure in hospital.
“We would envisage Martin being released from hospital in the next day or two and on behalf of Martin, we would like to thank supporters for their kind wishes.
“We would ask that the privacy of Martin and his family is respected.”
For now, the club leans on Maloney to steer preparations for Kilmarnock, while supporters wait on the next update and wonder whether they will see their manager back on the touchline as soon as this weekend.
