Shaun Maloney has provided a positive update on Martin O’Neill after the Celtic boss was discharged from hospital.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Maloney revealed that he visited O’Neill on Thursday night and found him in much better spirits after a difficult start to the week.
Maloney said: “I went to see him last night. He was really positive. He got out of the hospital yesterday.
“So yeah, he was in good form last night. Loads better than he was Monday, Tuesday.
“Hopefully that sort of positive feeling that he has continues, yeah. But he was in good form.”
There is still no firm timeline on whether the 74-year-old will be able to return in time for the Rugby Park clash, with Maloney explaining that the situation remains day to day.
He said: “No, no timeline.
“So even for the game at the weekend, it’s sort of day to day. We saw him last night with regards to the preparation for the game.
“He wasn’t in today. I’ll speak to him this afternoon and then he’ll make a call for tomorrow.
“Then I’d imagine he’ll make the call for the game at the weekend.
“But if it’s this weekend, great. If it isn’t, then yeah, we’ll prepare for it with that.”
Maloney is currently overseeing first-team preparations in O’Neill’s absence and would be expected to take a leading role again if the manager is unable to make Sunday’s match.
Maloney added: “We’ll definitely miss him if he’s not there.
“But you also have to respect what’s happened the last few days.
“The impact that he’s had over, what was it, since October, has been nothing short of incredible, really. The things that he does with the players and the staff.
“So we will miss him, but we’ll be prepared. We’ve got some brilliant senior players.”
For now, O’Neill’s involvement against Kilmarnock remains uncertain, but Maloney’s update was an encouraging one, with the Celtic boss now out of hospital and feeling considerably better than earlier in the week.
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