Celtic assistant coach Shaun Maloney says the club's transfer plans have not been disrupted despite manager Martin O'Neill's recent health scare.
O'Neill spent time in hospital last week where he underwent a small procedure, before being released over the weekend. He was not in the dugout for Celtic's 5-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park but spoke to the players beforehand in a team meeting.
Celtic were dominant at Rugby Park, with £11million club-record signing Kasper Hogh scoring his first goals for the club with a first-half hat-trick. The Danish striker, who previously played for Bodo Glimt in the Champions League, was named man of the match.
Celtic are still expected to be active in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, and Maloney said it remains business as usual as the club looks to add quality and firepower.
Maloney on transfer business
Asked whether the situation with O'Neill had forced transfer plans onto the backburner, Maloney said he did not think so. He said the last time he spoke to chief executive Michael Nicholson and O'Neill together was after training on Saturday.
Maloney said business was going on as normal, that O'Neill was still able to talk to Nicholson, and that the club's targets remained the same. He said they had to respect what O'Neill had been through and were trying to take some of the workload off him for a few days, but that everything was continuing as normal and he hoped O'Neill would be back next week.
There is currently no set timeline for O'Neill's return. Celtic's next game is against Dundee United at Tannadice in the League Cup next weekend.
O'Neill addresses players before kickoff
Maloney said there was no contact with O'Neill during the game itself. He said O'Neill was at the team hotel and took the team meeting, speaking to the players before telling the staff to get on with it.
Maloney said he was glad the team won, and that things maybe felt less stressful once the fifth goal went in, though he never felt entirely comfortable. He said watching from the touchline might feel different, and that he had never experienced anything like what happened that week.
Maloney praised the backroom staff and senior players, saying he was pleased for the manager to get the win and that the quicker O'Neill returned the better. He said O'Neill was much better on the day, in good form, and that seeing him spoke to the group was a boost for everyone given the bond between the manager and the players. Maloney said it would be up to O'Neill and his doctors to decide when he felt ready to return.
Hogh's impact praised
On Hogh's hat-trick, Maloney said it was huge for the striker, who has settled in quickly. He said the coaching staff had watched Hogh for a long time and knew he would score if given chances. Maloney added that although they have not known him long, Hogh has a big personality, which is needed as Celtic's number nine.
McCann takes blame for Kilmarnock defeat
Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann said he would take full responsibility after his team conceded five goals in another defensive collapse. Kilmarnock have shipped nine goals across their opening two matches and sit bottom of the league table, with some fans voicing frustration at full-time.
McCann's side face bitter rivals Ayr United in the League Cup on Friday night as they look to respond. He said he had asked his players to try to play and be brave, and that he was not one to take a backward step, so he would take responsibility. He said he had gone quite aggressive and open in his approach, that his team had made errors within that, and that they were punished by a very good Celtic side whose passing was impressive once their tails were up. He said he takes responsibility and the team would work on it during the week ahead of the cup game against Ayr United.
