Celtic Prepare for Kilmarnock as O'Neill Recovers

Martin O'Neill stayed away from Lennoxtown on Friday as Celtic put the final touches to their preparations for Sunday’s Premiership trip to Kilmarnock, with the 74-year-old manager still recovering from a brief spell in hospital this week.

Celtic confirmed on Wednesday that O’Neill had undergone what the club described as a “small procedure”, and the expectation then was that he would be discharged within 48 hours. His continued absence from the training ground underlined that the club are taking no chances with his recovery.

Maloney steps up as O’Neill recuperates

With O’Neill resting, Shaun Maloney took charge of first-team duties, flanked by coaches Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus. The former Celtic playmaker led the session and will also front up the media, stepping in for O’Neill at the pre-match press conference.

The arrangement keeps a familiar face at the forefront while the manager recuperates, but it also raises a question that will linger right up until kick-off at Rugby Park: will O’Neill be back in the technical area, or will Maloney’s role stretch into the weekend?

For now, Celtic have not confirmed his availability. The decision will hinge on medical advice and how O’Neill feels closer to the game, leaving a degree of uncertainty over who will stand in the dugout on Sunday.

Jota offers timely lift

There was a far brighter sight on the Lennoxtown pitches. Jota, out of competitive action for more than a year with a serious knee injury, stepped back into full work with the first-team group as he entered the final phase of his rehabilitation.

The Portuguese winger tore his cruciate ligament at Tannadice in April 2025 and has endured a long, stop-start road back, with setbacks last season ruling out any late return. His presence among the squad on Friday, moving and working with team-mates again, offered a genuine lift.

He is not over the line yet, but after more than a year on the sidelines and repeated frustrations, the winger is finally edging towards a comeback that could reshape Celtic’s attacking options in the months ahead.