Shaun Maloney has addressed speculation linking Roberto Martinez with the Celtic job.

The assistant manager was asked directly about the Portugal head coach amid growing speculation and did not leave any room for interpretation.

Maloney knows Martinez well from their time working together with Belgium.

That connection has fuelled the noise, but his answer was blunt.

He told Sky Sports:

“No, zero. I still speak to Roberto, but it’s mainly on how he’s preparing for his massive World Cup with Portugal. So nothing on that from my side.

“Actually, it’s so far away from what myself, Martin and the rest of the guys are thinking. I’m pretty sure the board are already starting to make plans for that. But for the rest of us, it’s like every three days there’s a game. We’ve just come out of a window.

“It’s definitely above my pay grade. No, I just concentrate to make the team better, help recruitment as much as I can and leave those big decisions to the key guys.”

The board are planning. That much he confirmed. But whether Martinez is on any internal list is another matter entirely, but Maloney was not entertaining it publicly.

Instead, he pointed to the reality inside Lennoxtown right now.

Games every three days. A squad still adjusting after the transfer window. A title race that demands full attention.

There is no appetite internally for distraction.

Celtic FC Assistant Shaun Maloney, Falkirk Stadium
14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Celtic assistant manager Shaun Maloney

Martin O’Neill and his staff are locked in on the here and now. Results will dictate everything between now and the end of the season.

Supporters know how quickly speculation builds when a permanent appointment looms.

Names will continue to circulate. Some realistic, some fantasy.

Maloney’s message was straightforward. The dressing room is not thinking about it.

For now, the only priority is winning football matches and keeping Celtic on track for the league.