Some claim Martin O’Neill is just a public figurehead - but Maloney insists that is not the case
Shaun Maloney has stressed that the perception of some fans and observers that he effectively runs day-to-day operations at Celtic and Martin O’Neill is just a figurehead is wrong.
The assistant manager was speaking at a press conference on the eve of the Parkhead side’s must-win home Europa League clash against Celta Vigo. Maloney had stepped into the breach due to O’Neill attending to “a personal matter".
He assured supporters that O'Neill, who missed a match earlier this season to undergo a small procedure in hospital, would be in place in the dugout against the Spanish side. In the manager’s absence, Maloney tackled the notion that he is essentially in charge while the 74-year-old O’Neill is the public face of the club.
“Even back 25 years ago, Martin very much would observe training,” he said. “There were certain things he would step in (and sort) and it's exactly the same here now. 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. So, yeah, whoever says that obviously hasn't worked with him or spoken to him. I don't know why anyone would even think that without working with him.
”If they came and watched us each day, Martin leads everything. Recruitment, team selection, tactical. I think Martin's actually said this. So, yeah, that would be incorrect.”
Maloney is nevertheless determined to protect O’Neill’s legacy and maintain the club’s rich European tradition. He was a player when Celtic reached the Uefa Cup final in Seville in 2003, beating Celta Vigo en route. Times are harder now and the Parkhead side currently sit 33rd out of 36 teams in the Europa League table after two comprehensive defeats against Ferencvaros and Benfica. Maloney emphasised that on no account will they choose to prioritise a domestic game over a European fixture, even if the stakes seem higher at home given the more robust challenge from title rivals.
“Our reputation in Europe is really important,” said Maloney. “We felt that last year. There was a moment before the Feyenoord game (last November) when we weren’t sure whether we were going to pick our strongest side to win that game. We had some really important games coming up. We were at the point where we’d had a really difficult start.
“But the European games are so important to the club and the history of the club that you have to go for it. This (v Celta Vigo) is now a really, really important game.”
“Looking at our away games, people have already paid and booked up to follow the team some have to try our best to have an impact on the European scene. That is ingrained in you here. It’s hard, but we have to try.”
Maloney addressed his own long-term future, whether at Celtic or elsewhere. The 43-year-old has only signed a one-year deal along with O’Neill and fellow coach Mark Fotheringham.
“I came in originally as Head of Loans, which I did not expect to love as much as I did,” he said. “You get very invested in the players trying to break through or out on loan.
“The idea was to spend a couple of seasons and try and help what I could here and then eventually go back in as coach and manager. That changed in October when obviously things were tough here. I will figure all that out at the end of the season. Myself, the boss and Mark are all signed for this year.
“Let’s see what the season has in store. Two weeks ago it was a really different period. We have a big battle domestically. Rangers are a strong side….Ask me at the end of the season.”