Celtic assistant manager Shaun Maloney insists transfer activity at the club remains unaffected despite no confirmed date for Martin O'Neill's return. The Hoops continue to pursue new signings, including winger Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mika Baur, while O'Neill recovers from a hospital stay last week.
O'Neill's ongoing involvement
O'Neill visited the team hotel before Sunday's 5-1 Premiership win over Kilmarnock and stays in contact with chief executive Michael Nicholson as the club prepares for next week's Champions League play-off against LASK. Maloney confirmed that ongoing deals have not been finalised, but O'Neill's absence will not delay progress.
Asked if the club were closer to completing deals, Maloney said: “I don’t think so. The last time I spoke to Michael and Martin was after training yesterday, so I don’t think so. Business is going on as normal. He’s still able to talk to Michael and the targets we have are still the same. We have to respect what he’s been through and trying to take some of the workload off him for a few days. But it’s all going on as normal and hopefully he’s back next week.”
New signings impressing
Celtic hope to add at least two new players by the weekend, but Maloney praised recent arrivals. Record signing Kasper Hogh scored a hat-trick in the win at Rugby Park, while Camilo Duran also impressed.
Maloney said of Hogh: “It was huge. He’s really settled in quickly. He’s performance against Dundee was good. He missed some chances but that’s the life of a no.9. I was really impressed with his all-round game. Kilmarnock go man-for-man and try to press you aggressive. But everything that went up to him stuck and he was a platform for our team. The goals kind of topped it off. We’ve watched him for a long, long time and we know if we create chances, he will score them. He haven’t known him for too long but he has a big personality, which you need as a Celtic no.9.”
On Duran, he added: “In saying that, Camilo Duran has come in with a different personality, he’s quiet and gets on with his work. He was brilliant as well. They are two very different personalities but they have both settled in really well.”
Keeping star players
Celtic are also working to retain key players Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels, with West Ham and Everton showing interest. Johnston limped off at half-time against Kilmarnock, while Engels delivered a standout performance.
Maloney said: “Alistair felt something. That was just precautionary, we hope. He was brilliant, as were the two in front, Callum McGregor and Arne Engels. Michael (Nicholson) and Martin will be able to tell the exact strategy around any of the outgoings in relation to the Champions League games. Arne was as good as I’ve seen him. I thought he was excellent at the end of last season. It’s been hard for him in preseason. He’s been with us the whole time and it’s not been an easy summer for him. He wanted to see me yesterday and he was really strong in wanting to put a performance on today. I thought him and McGregor were brilliant. I’m a huge fan of Arne. He showed what he has today, his pass at the end for James Forrest was outstanding.”
