Martin O'Neill Recovering Well Ahead of Celtic's Trip to Rugby Park

Celtic have been handed a lift ahead of their trip to Rugby Park, with assistant Shaun Maloney revealing that manager Martin O'Neill is out of hospital and recovering well after a minor procedure.

The 74-year-old Northern Irishman left hospital on Wednesday, easing growing concern after the club confirmed he had undergone what they described as a “small procedure”.

Maloney visited his manager that evening and painted a positive picture.

“I went to see him last night. He got out of hospital yesterday,” the assistant said. “He was in good form last night, loads better than he was Monday, Tuesday. Hopefully those sort of positive feelings continue.”

The mood around Lennoxtown has clearly lifted, but one question still hangs over the champions: will O'Neill be in the dugout against Kilmarnock in Sunday’s William Hill Premiership clash?

Right now, there is no guarantee.

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

O'Neill remained away from training on Thursday, but his influence still loomed large over preparations.

“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.”

Celtic had earlier moved to address speculation with a statement on their official website, confirming the hospital procedure and asking for space as their manager recovers.

“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.”

For now, Celtic walk a careful line: reassured by O'Neill’s improving condition, yet braced to go into a potentially awkward away fixture without their figurehead on the touchline if he decides not to rush his return.