Celtic assistant manager Shaun Maloney has confirmed that Martin O'Neill will be back in the dugout for the Europa League clash with Celta Vigo, after the gaffer missed pre-match media duties for personal reasons.
Maloney, speaking ahead of tonight's match, insisted that restoring Celtic's reputation in Europe is the club's top priority, and that the Hoops must aim to make a significant impact in continental competition.
O'Neill Returns for Celta Vigo Clash
Maloney revealed that O'Neill will take his place on the touchline for the match against the Spaniards, having been absent from his usual media commitments. The assistant said the manager's absence was due to personal reasons but gave no further details.
The Hoops are currently pointless in the Europa League after defeats to Benfica and Ferencvaros, and are desperate to get off the mark against Celta Vigo tonight.
Euro Ambition and Budget Realities
Maloney, who was part of the Celtic side that reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2003 and defeated Celta Vigo along the way, believes there is a genuine desire at Parkhead to restore the club's reputation in Europe and progress to the latter stages of competitions.
“There have been teams throughout Europe even without the biggest budgets who have shown they can have deep runs in Europe,” Maloney said. “That should be what we are aspiring to do. To do that we have to get everything right. Obviously us as coaches, recruitment, all departments of the club have to be bang on to get those runs.”
He added: “We’re obviously not there now but that is what we should aspire to. Even with our budget in terms of the European stage, we should be trying to get as far in European competition as we possibly can. Recently clubs with a similar budget have done it so that has to be our motivation. It’s difficult for me to say we are close after being beaten by Benfica and Ferencvaros. As a team we have a lot of work to do to beat Celta Vigo.”
Fan Boycott and Support
Celtic fans have expressed frustration at the club's failure to prepare adequately for European competition, with the Green Brigade boycotting tonight's clash. Maloney, however, is convinced that the club's leadership is determined to make an impact on the continent.
“I hope so. I haven’t heard anyone saying anything different. In fairness, I don’t speak to the board very often, that’s for the boss,” he said. “But I hope so. Every supporter is desperate for that. They are desperate to get back to the Champions League, which will be hard as we have to win our own domestic league first.”
Maloney also revealed that defender Auston Trusty will miss the match due to a personal issue.
“Our reputation in Europe is really important. The European games are so important to the club and the history of the club that you have to go for it. This is now a really, really important game,” he said.
On the boycott, Maloney said: “It’s a really difficult position. I’d imagine those guys (who are boycotting) are the same ones who went to Benfica and Motherwell away. So, it’s a really difficult moment. I hope we get to a stage where we are all united again. If these guys are missing tomorrow then I respect their decision. I respect the ones coming to the game.”
He added: “I am just hopeful we can get back to the feeling we had towards the end of last season. We had it against Hearts at the weekend too. It was brilliant atmosphere. You can’t underestimate how big an impact it can have. We were coming back from the Benfica defeat and they were brilliant. Whoever the key guys are in the supporters groups and the club, hopefully we can find a way to get through this.”
