Martin O'Neill Out of Hospital: Celtic Manager's Recovery Update

Martin O'Neill has left hospital and is “in good form” after undergoing a small medical procedure, with Celtic adopting a cautious, day-to-day approach over whether their manager will be on the touchline at Rugby Park on Sunday.

Assistant Shaun Maloney visited the 74-year-old on Wednesday night and painted an encouraging picture of the Celtic boss’ recovery ahead of the William Hill Premiership trip to Kilmarnock.

“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.”

The relief inside the club is obvious, but there is no rush. No deadline. No grand target being set for a symbolic return at the weekend.

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

O'Neill, who has been central to Celtic’s resurgence, was not at Lennoxtown on Thursday. Maloney and the staff handled preparations while staying in close contact with their manager, who remains involved in planning even as he recuperates.

“We saw him last night, with regards to the preparation for the game and so he wasn't in today,” Maloney explained. “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 club had moved earlier in the week to calm speculation over O'Neill’s condition, confirming that the Northern Irishman had undergone what they described as a “small procedure”.

A statement on Celtic’s official website outlined the situation and appealed for calm and respect.

“In response to speculation, we can confirm that Martin O'Neill has undergone a small procedure in hospital,” it read. “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.”

He is now home, recovering, and still calling the shots on his own schedule. Whether he strides back into the dugout at Rugby Park or watches from afar, the decision will be his — and Celtic will move with him, not ahead of him.