GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 16: Celtic manager Martin O'Neill (centre) at full time during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park, on May 16, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic are reported to have had positive discussions with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham over new roles at the club.
The news comes from David Friel of The Sun, one of the most accurate sources of Celtic news. Friel is a former Celtic View reporter.
In February 2021 Friel broke the news that Neil Lennon was stepping down as manager 11 hours before the Stock Exchange announcement.
Twice last season Maloney and Fotheringham were drafted in to assist Martin O’Neill.
Both men are training ground coaches, putting in the hours for preparations and sessions between matches.
With O’Neill as the old school motivational manager the partnership worked well either side of the disastrous reign of Wilfried Nancy.
Maloney and Fotheringham weren’t involved with the 33 day reign of the Frenchman.
On June 11 Celtic announced O’Neill as their permanent manager. Tellingly there was no mention of his backroom team.
This morning in The Sun Friel reported:
CELTIC are close to agreeing deals with backroom duo Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.
The Hoops coaches have been in talks with Parkhead chiefs after rejecting initial contract offers.
SunSport revealed both No2 Maloney and first-team coach Fotheringham were initially offered a substantial wage cut from last season’s terms.
But discussions have progressed positively in the last few days and an agreement is now expected.
Martin O’Neill has already been confirmed as Celtic boss on a one-year contact, with the option of a further 12 months.
The Hoops gaffer made it clear that he wanted both Maloney and Fotheringham on board again, after they helped win the Double last season.
With pre-season training for non-internationalists starting next Friday Celtic need bodies on the ground as quickly as possible.
It is widely expected that Gavin Strachan will leave his role as first team coach for West Brom.
THE CELTIC BACKROOM TEAM
Before being summoned to first team duties Maloney was the Professional Pathway Manager. Fotheringham was out of football but had previously managed Huddersfield Town in the Championship.
No new signings have been made with six loan signings leaving the club.
Without a Head of Football Operations there is uncertainty over recruitment.
A lot of work is clearly required to get the squad ready for the SPFL opener on August 3, followed two weeks later by a Champions League Play Off.
With Maloney and Fotheringham appointed a small piece of the jigsaw appears to be falling into place.
There has been no content from O’Neill on Celtic’s in-house media channels beyond the announcement that he was the permanent manager.
“CELTIC are close to agreeing deals with backroom duo…”
Can we expect that both will indeed be signed up,
but perhaps much nearer the day the transfer window shuts?
Well, it’s tradition isn’t it? 🙁
Divvy up Gavins wage between Shaun and Fozzy and not replace him,will be where they’re at.Take that to the bank.So still a body light on the training ground.