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Shaun Maloney has full faith in Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels. There has been strong interest in both players from English clubs with Maloney and Martin O’Neill both acknowledging the elephant in the room. Substantial pay rises can be a massive distraction but both started and played a role in Celtic’s 1-0 win over Dundee. The speculation has dropped a little over the last few days but there is nothing to suggest that Everton and West Ham have dropped all interest. Towards the end of last season Johnston, Engels and Daizen Maeda revived Celtic’s title push. With Maeda now at Ipswich the last thing that Celtic need is to lose two more key players. Maloney has taken the lead at training this week with O’Neill unavailable. He was also on media duties today with the inevitable transfer questions asked. QUESTION: Can I just ask about outgoings in terms of the latest with Arne Engels and the pursuit of West Ham? Maloney Nothing’s changed really with Arne and Alistair Johnston. I know there’s been interest in the two of them over the last couple of days, but nothing’s changed. The two of them are training really well and it can be difficult as an individual, but they’ve been good. They’ve trained really hard. I thought they were both good against Dundee. I think we could have been a lot better in the first half as a team, but no, it can be hard for these guys, but they’re training fine. We’ve seen it before at this club. They have to act a certain way until obviously they’re not here, but the two of them have been really good. Sunday’s trip to Kilmarnock comes without the plastic factor. Celtic have coped well in terms of results in recent times but running out onto a grass pitch on Sunday will be a bonus. MALONEY LOOKS TO BE IN CHARGE FOR KILMARNOCK CLASH With a strong likelihood of O’Neill being missing from the dug-out the spotlight will be on Maloney at Kilmarnock. From matchday coverage the former Celtic and Scotland striker has a strong influence, especially tactically. At this time of year every manager has transfer issues to deal with as they prepare for matchdays. Players are often in a lose-lose situation when there is interest from elsewhere. Johnston and Engels are both on long term contracts but the Celtic proposition clearly involves the opportunity to move on. At Kilmarnock on Sunday Maloney will have to go with the same squad as faced Dundee. As ever the club is working hard on signings but Maloney isn’t expecting any arrivals before lunchtime on Sunday.