Maloney leans on senior players during Celtic turmoil

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The Celtic Star

·29 octobre 2025

Maloney leans on senior players during Celtic turmoil

Shaun Maloney revealed that during training yesterday, he leaned a lot on Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel, Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney, and James Forrest…

Shaun Maloney and Martin O’Neill at Celtic Park on October 28, 2025 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Maloney, who stepped in to guide the team with Martin O’Neill after Brendan Rodgers’ shock exit, had joined Celtic earlier in the summer as the club’s Professional Player Pathway Manager.

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He is set to oversee things from the touchline for now, and with O’Neill making his way up from England, Maloney led yesterday’s training session in preparation for tonight’s clash with Falkirk at Celtic Park.

Callum McGregor applauds the Celtic supporters after the match. Hearts v Celtic, 26 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Speaking during the media conference at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon which The Celtic Star attended, Maloney said: “We’ve got some experienced guys. Kasper is probably the most experienced. But in terms of the lads that probably come through the club, you’ve got Callum, James and Kieran. We relied heavily on them this morning.”

“Alistair Johnston is a really big part of the group. Unfortunately, Cameron had surgery yesterday, I think, or he would have been part of that.”

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic on the ground with suspected injury at full-time. Final score Celtic 2 Sturm Graz 1. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Maloney added: “So there’s enough experience, enough guys that have won, and enough guys probably that have experienced days like today. Yeah, we relied heavily on them this morning, and we’ll rely heavily on them tomorrow night.”

“These moments are really, really difficult. I think as well, when you ask the question about John, he is a big part of what goes on on a daily basis. He’s a really extremely talented coach, very popular, so he’ll be missed.”

“But it’s the senior players who will be relied upon and demanded more. I think it’s always the case, and it won’t be any different tomorrow night.”

Martin O’Neill at Celtic Park on October 28, 2025 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

It is a massive night for O’Neill and his players this evening after the events of the last few days. It is vital Celtic get back to winning ways ahead of Sunday’s League Cup semi-final at Hampden. There’s only so much that the two interim bosses can do in such a short period of time. The senior players will have to do a great deal to ensue that the players are focused and fully understand what is now required on a night when Celtic simply must pick up the three points.

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Falkirk will certainly fancy their chances by benefitting from the turmoil inside and outside of Celtic Park this evening. Keep an eye on the Directors box to see who is and more importantly not there this evening.

The Celtic Board. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).

Conor Spence

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