Martin O'Neill's Absence Ahead of Celtic's Match Against Kilmarnock

Martin O'Neill stayed away from Celtic’s final training session before Sunday’s Premiership trip to Kilmarnock as he continues his recovery from a spell in hospital this week.

The 74-year-old underwent what the club described on Wednesday as a “small procedure”, with an expectation he would be discharged within 48 hours. Since then he has not returned to Lennoxtown, leaving Shaun Maloney to run preparations alongside fellow coaches Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus.

Shaun Maloney Takes Charge

Maloney has stepped into the foreground. He led the first-team session, handled the detail on the training pitch and will also front up Celtic’s media duties, including the pre-match press conference this afternoon. For now, he is the public face of the coaching staff.

O'Neill's Status

What remains unknown is whether O’Neill will be well enough to take his place in the technical area at Rugby Park. His involvement against Kilmarnock is still to be decided, and Celtic will likely wait as long as possible before making a call on their manager’s presence on the touchline.

Jota's Return

On the grass, at least, there was a lift.

Jota joined the main group at Lennoxtown, a sight Celtic supporters have waited more than a year to see. The Portuguese winger has entered the final stretch of his rehabilitation from the serious knee injury that has kept him out of competitive action since April 2025.

He tore his cruciate ligament at Tannadice, an injury that triggered a long, stop-start recovery. Setback followed setback, wiping out any hope of a late-season return last term and forcing the club to plan without one of their most explosive attacking options.

Now he is back with the squad, edging towards full fitness, even if there is still work to do before he can be thrown into a Premiership match. With O’Neill’s involvement for Sunday still uncertain, the image of Jota back among his team-mates offered a timely reminder: while the manager recuperates, one of Celtic’s most gifted players is finally on his way back.