news-engine

Celtic transfer state of play revealed by Shaun Maloney in Martin O'Neill absence The Parkhead No. 2 took the team as the Scottish champions ran riot at Rugby Park in a 5-1 win Shaun Maloney insists it’s transfer business as usual at Celtic despite no timescale on Martin O'Neill's return to work. The Hoops are continuing the push for new recruits including wide man Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mika Baur despite the manager recovering from a stint in hospital last week. O’Neill made an appearance at the team hotel before Sunday’s 5-1 Premiership clobbering of Kilmarnock and remains in contact with Parkhead chief executive Michael Nicholson as he looks to bolster his squad ahead of next week’s Champions League play-off showdown with Austrian champs LASK. Maloney admitted the live deals had yet to be forced over the line – but O’Neill’s absence won’t hold up any moves. When asked if Celts were closer, he said: “I don’t think so. The last time I spoke to Michael and Martin was after training yesterday, so I don’t think so. Business is going on as normal. He’s still able to talk to Michael and the targets we have are still the same. “We have to respect what he’s been through and trying to take some of the workload off him for a few days. But it’s all going on as normal and hopefully he’s back next week.” Celtic are hoping to have at least two new faces on board by the weekend but Maloney admitted he was thrilled with the recent additions with record singing Kasper Hogh opening his Hoops account with a sensational hat-trick in the Rugby Park rout. He said: “It was huge. He’s really settled in quickly. He’s performance against Dundee was good. He missed some chances but that’s the life of a no.9. I was really impressed with his all-round game. Kilmarnock go man-for-man and try to press you aggressive. “But everything that went up to him stuck and he was a platform for our team. The goals kind of topped it off. We’ve watched him for a long, long time and we know if we create chances, he will score them. He haven’t known him for too long but he has a big personality, which you need as a Celtic no.9. “In saying that, Camilo Duran has come in with a different personality, he’s quiet and gets on with his work. He was brilliant as well. They are two very different personalities but they have both settled in really well.” Celts are also battling to keep hold of star men Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels ahead of the LASK clash, with West Ham and Everton still hovering. Johnston limped off at half-time against Killie – while Engels produced a barnstorming display. Maloney said: “Alistair felt something. That was just precautionary, we hope. He was brilliant, as were the two in front, Callum McGregor and Arne Engels. Michael (Nicholson) and Martin will be able to tell the exact strategy around any of the outgoings in relation to the Champions League games. “Arne was as good as I’ve seen him. I thought he was excellent at the end of last season. It’s been hard for him in preseason. He’s been with us the whole time and it’s not been an easy summer for him. “He wanted to see me yesterday and he was really strong in wanting to put a performance on today. I thought him and McGregor were brilliant. I’m a huge fan of Arne. He showed what he has today, his pass at the end for James Forrest was outstanding.”