Celtic are moving closer to sorting Martin O’Neill’s backroom team, with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham now expected to agree deals to stay at the club.

The pair had been in talks with the Hoops after initially knocking back offers, with their futures becoming a major talking point ahead of pre-season. O’Neill wanted both men kept on after the part they played in last season’s Double, and it now looks as though that wish could be granted.

According to SunSport, talks have moved in the right direction over the past few days and agreements are now expected for both Maloney and Fotheringham.

That would be a significant lift for O’Neill, who is preparing for his first full campaign since being confirmed as Celtic boss on a one-year deal with the option of another year.

The delay had caused understandable concern. Celtic are already facing a big summer in the transfer market, and the last thing O’Neill needed was uncertainty over the coaches he wanted beside him when the players return.

Maloney and Fotheringham were both involved during the run-in as Celtic recovered to win the league title and Scottish Cup. Their work on the training pitch has been spoken about positively, and keeping them would give the manager some much-needed continuity.

SunSport had previously reported that both men were first offered reduced terms compared to last season. That sparked the talks which have now, according to the latest update, progressed towards a positive outcome.

There is still set to be change behind the scenes, though. Gavin Strachan is expected to leave Celtic and head for West Brom, where he will join James Morrison’s coaching staff.

Strachan has been at Celtic for six years, working under several managers during a period of major success. His departure would leave O’Neill with a decision to make over whether another coach is needed to fill that gap.

Stevie Woods, meanwhile, is set to remain in his role as goalkeeping coach.

For Celtic, getting Maloney and Fotheringham tied down would be a sensible step. O’Neill has already made clear who he wanted around him, and the club appear close to delivering that part of the setup.

The bigger recruitment questions still remain, but the backroom staff had to be sorted quickly. With pre-season approaching, Celtic now look close to giving O’Neill the coaching structure he asked for.