NafisaWorld Football Index understands that Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham have reached financial agreement on contracts that would see them stay on at Celtic for the upcoming season.
Behind the scenes at Parkhead, preparations for continuity have been quietly taking shape following a transformative campaign. Club officials have been keen to maintain stability within the coaching structure, particularly after a season that saw standards rise significantly and performances return to a level fans had been demanding.
Talks over final contractual clauses are now the only remaining step. Those remaining details are expected to be ironed out today and are believed to follow the same structure previously used for coaching setups under Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy.
Provided everything is concluded as expected, formal confirmation of Martin O’Neill’s backroom staff is anticipated in the near future, with an official announcement likely to be issued in the coming days.
Their ongoing involvement is expected to be warmly received by supporters, many of whom have seen a noticeable shift in energy, discipline, and belief since the coaching team’s arrival.
The numbers behind Celtic’s resurgence
The scale of Celtic’s turnaround under O’Neill, Maloney and Fotheringham is perhaps best understood through their on-pitch record. O’Neill and his staff took charge of a squad that was 14 points behind at the summit of the table.
By the end of the season, that gap had been completely erased, with Celtic reclaiming their position as champions in emphatic fashion.
Across O’Neill’s two spells in charge this season, Celtic accumulated 59 points from 23 matches, while also producing a strong +30 goal difference. Their closest challengers struggled to maintain that level of consistency, with Hearts collecting 46 points from 24 games, Rangers 45 from 23, and Motherwell 37 from 23.
Beyond results alone, the coaching group were credited with restoring intensity, organisation, and belief to a squad that had previously looked short of confidence during key moments of the campaign.
Speaking to WFi in December 2025 about returning to the club initially on an interim basis, Fotheringham reflected on the emotional nature of the call-up:
“I received a call around 11.30 at night from Shaun. You could hear the adrenaline in his voice. He simply said, ‘Foz, can you be at Lennoxtown at the drop of a hat?’
“For me, it was an easy decision. I told him I would be there the next morning. I did not ask any questions because I knew he had a lot going on.
“It has been a special feeling because Celtic means everything to us.”
Standards restored at Parkhead
Statistically, Celtic’s 86 per cent domestic win rate and 83 per cent league win rate underlined a side operating with renewed confidence and control.
Defensively, the team became more structured, while in possession they showed greater composure in managing matches and breaking down opposition sides. The improvement was clear both in results and in overall performances across the campaign.
The season was ultimately capped with silverware, as Celtic secured a domestic double in May with a Scottish Cup final win over Dunfermline Athletic, rounding off a campaign that firmly re-established momentum at the club.
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