Celtic assistant coach Shaun Maloney has moved to end speculation over who is really in charge at Parkhead, insisting Martin O'Neill leads everything at the club. Maloney stepped up for media duties on the eve of the Europa League clash with Celta Vigo after O'Neill was absent due to a personal issue, but the Northern Irishman is expected back in the dugout for the match.
Maloney dismisses claims over his influence
Rumours have persisted that O'Neill is merely a figurehead with Maloney pulling the strings behind the scenes. However, the former winger was quick to quash such talk, saying: "I think anyone that's written or said that, I don't think they've ever worked with Martin. If they came and watched us each day, Martin leads everything. Recruitment, team selection, tactical. He says he takes responsibility whether it's win or lose."
Maloney's role extends beyond the traditional assistant duties of balls, bibs and cones, with the Scot and Mark Fotheringham now carrying out the spadework that John Robertson and Steve Walford did during Maloney's playing days under O'Neill two decades ago.
O'Neill's methods unchanged
Maloney explained that O'Neill's approach remains the same as it was in the early 2000s. "Even back 25 years ago, Martin very much would observe training. There were certain things he would step in and it's exactly the same here. He observes the majority of training, but when there's something that he wants to put across to the players, he steps in. It's how he works is pretty much exactly how it was in the early 2000s."
He added: "So, yeah, whoever says that, obviously, hasn't worked with him or spoke to him. In fairness, he's there every day or 99 per cent of the days Martin's there. Sometimes he'll stay on one if that's something he thinks is really important. He's the manager, so when the manager's there, I'd imagine the intensity does go up."
Maloney's protective stance
Maloney admitted he felt protective of O'Neill's legacy last season, saying: "I felt a little bit like that last season. I don't know if that was the right way to think. Martin always said that the legacy thing didn't affect him. So I don't know whether it was right or wrong that I felt that way. Maybe protective is the right word for it."
He added: "I felt I owed him a lot for what he did for me as a person and my family. One day you're cleaning boot and the next you're living out your dream. So for a man to do that for you're indebted to him. I felt that all last season but this season feels a little different. The opportunity to go and win again overrides that feeling."
Future plans and Europa League challenge
Maloney revealed his original plan was to spend a couple of seasons as head of loans before returning to coaching, but that changed last October when he stepped in to help the then caretaker boss. He said: "I will figure all that out at the end of the season. Myself, the boss and Mark (Fotheringham) are all signed for this year. Let's see what the season has in store."
On the Celta Vigo match, Maloney acknowledged the importance of the clash for Celtic's Europa League hopes, saying: "We definitely have to figure out a few of the structural things in terms of without the ball. What suits this team and all the players within it without the ball. And then just a full commitment from everyone to defend." He added: "We've shown it already this season that we can be. We've also shown that when we aren't quite at the same levels without the ball then we can get hurt against any side. That's the challenge we've had since the start of the season – to find that sort of consistency without the ball."
