Chris Sutton has urged Martin O’Neill to put his recovery first following the Celtic manager’s hospital procedure.
His availability for Sunday’s Premiership trip to Kilmarnock remains unclear, but Sutton believes there should be no pressure on the 74-year-old to return to the dugout before he is ready.
Speaking to the Daily Record, the former Celtic striker said: “Martin needs to look after himself first and foremost.
“Football’s secondary.”
O’Neill took charge of Celtic’s opening league match against Dundee on Monday night, with the champions beginning their title defence with a 1-0 victory at Parkhead.
Both coaches were brought onto O’Neill’s staff after his permanent return to the manager’s job earlier this summer.
Sutton believes Celtic have enough experience within the coaching team to deal with the situation without placing any extra pressure on O’Neill.
“Shaun and Mark have got a fair bit of experience. I don’t think that would be a real issue,” he said.
The former Hoops striker also made clear that the decision over when to return belongs to O’Neill and his family.
“Martin’s got to do what’s right for himself and his family,” Sutton said.
Celtic have not confirmed whether O’Neill will travel to Ayrshire this weekend.
The manager returned to the club permanently after guiding Celtic to a domestic Double during his interim spell last season.
Sunday’s game is Celtic’s first away league fixture of the new campaign, but preparations can continue under Maloney and Fotheringham should O’Neill require more time away.
“But, of course, everybody wants to see Martin back in the dugout,” Sutton added.
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