Maloney is by Martin O’Neill’s side and Hampden onlookers saw exactly why during half-time in extra-time against Rangers

19:01, 02 Nov 2025Updated 19:21, 02 Nov 2025

Celtic interim assistant manager Shaun Maloney and interim manager Martin O’Neill

Martin O’Neill may be Celtic‘s Mr Motivator, but what Shaun Maloney brings to the table was clear to see for interested onlookers at Hampden.

O’Neill famously disappears during the week for a couple of days as the veteran boss prefers to make his biggest impact on matchdays.

Pros who have played under the Northern Irishman have often talked about how he wouldn’t really get involved with tactical work through the week, but would appear in the dressing room on a Saturday and have them walking down the tunnel feeling ten feet taller.

O’Neill is old school, but will admit himself there’s a need to move with the times now he’s back in the Celtic dugout 25 years after first sitting in the hotseat.

Man management is never going to be enough on it’s own these days, and that’s why Maloney is is right hand man.

His own attempts at management haven’t gone well with Hibs and Wigan.

But there’s a reason why Roberto Martinez added him to his Belgium coaching staff.

With 15 minutes left of an Old Firm cup semi-final at Hampden against ten men, you’d think that would be O’Neill’s time to shine.

But as the Celtic players huddled on the Hampden touchline, it was Maloney they were paying attention to as O’Neill took a back seat.

Whatever he aid worked, as Callum Osmand sealed their place in the Premier Sports Cup Final with a late strike to make the score 3-1.

And afterwards, pundit Alan Hutton compared the double act to the one Walter Smith led at Rangers during his second stint.

“There’s definitely an aura about these type of guys,” he told Premier Sports. “They’ve been there, done it, got the t-shirt.

“I remember when Walter Smith first came in and was having his first meeting. Everybody is quiet, sitting up straight as if you’re at school getting into trouble.

“Whatever he says, you know that he means well for you and wants you to do the best. It just gives you confidence.

“These guys give you confidence to go out there, puff your chest out and play the best that you possibly can. It’s psychology. They simplify things for you.

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“It’s all about the dynamic I think, when you’ve got a manager rather than a head coach. It was Walter Smith, then you had Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall, so they’ve done a lot of the training and day to day stuff.

“Walter Smith was always there overlooking and overseeing. If he had to step in, he would. Martin O’Neill has spoken about it and that’s what works for him. That’s what gets the best out of players.

“When he walks into the changing room, everybody sits up and listens to what he’s got to say.”

Neil Lennon spent years as O’Neill’s midfield general at Parkhead and offered similar insight: “Back in the day, you wouldn’t see him for a couple of days because he wanted to have impact on you on matchday.

“Alan touched on Walter. When he walks into a room, the lights come on, the boss is here now. Behave and listen.”