Martin O’Neill’s Absence and Jota’s Return Ahead of Kilmarnock Clash

Martin O’Neill stayed away from Celtic’s final training session before Sunday’s Premiership trip to Kilmarnock as he continues his recovery from a spell in hospital this week.

The 74-year-old underwent what the club described on Wednesday as a “small procedure”, with an expectation he would be discharged within 48 hours. Since then, he has not returned to Lennoxtown, leaving Shaun Maloney to run first-team preparations alongside coaches Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus.

Maloney Steps Up

Maloney has effectively become the public face of the coaching staff in O’Neill’s absence. He is set to handle all media duties around the Kilmarnock match, including taking charge of Celtic’s pre-match press conference this afternoon.

The key unknown hangs over the technical area. Celtic have yet to confirm whether O’Neill will be well enough to travel to Rugby Park, and his availability for the weekend remains unresolved. For now, the players work under the assumption that Maloney will lead from the touchline if required.

Jota Edges Towards Return

There was at least one lift for Celtic supporters during Friday’s session. Jota, out for more than a year with a serious knee injury, stepped back into work with the first-team group as he moves into the final phase of his rehabilitation.

The Portuguese winger tore his cruciate ligament at Tannadice in April 2025, an injury that triggered a long, stuttering recovery. Setback followed setback, wiping out any chance of a late cameo in the closing weeks of last season.

Seeing him back among his teammates at Lennoxtown did not come with promises or timelines. It did, however, offer something Celtic have not had much of regarding Jota for over a year: a clear sign that a return to competitive action is finally edging into view.