Martin O'Neill Out of Hospital and Recovering Well

Celtic have been handed a lift ahead of Sunday’s trip to Rugby Park, with Martin O'Neill out of hospital and recovering well after a minor procedure.

The 74-year-old manager left hospital on Wednesday, the club confirming he had undergone what was described as a “small procedure” as speculation swirled around his absence. By Thursday, his assistant Shaun Maloney was able to paint a far brighter picture.

“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.”

Celtic now move towards the William Hill Premiership meeting with Kilmarnock with a degree of uncertainty in the technical area, but not in the planning. There is no fixed timeline on O’Neill’s return to the dugout, and the club will take it day by day.

“No timeline. So even for the game at the weekend, it's sort of day-to-day,” Maloney explained. “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.”

Behind the scenes, O’Neill remains closely involved. Maloney’s visit on Wednesday was as much about tactics as it was about welfare, the manager still steering preparations even if he is not yet back at Lennoxtown.

Celtic had earlier used their official website to confirm the situation and to ask for calm around their manager’s condition. “In response to speculation, we can confirm that Martin O'Neill has undergone a small procedure in hospital,” the club said.

“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.”

The privacy request still stands, but the message from inside the camp is quietly reassuring. O’Neill is out, he is improving, and he remains engaged with the team’s work.

Whether he strides back into the technical area at Rugby Park or watches from home, his presence will hang over Sunday’s match all the same.