What happened: Nine days after Martin O'Neill was confirmed as permanent Celtic manager, his backroom staff has yet to be finalized. Reports indicate assistants Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham have been offered pay cuts to remain at the club. The delay has drawn criticism, with one assessment claiming Celtic "don't look a well-run club."

Why it matters: A settled coaching staff is foundational heading into the new campaign, and an unresolved structure undercuts the stability O'Neill's permanent appointment was meant to provide. The pay-cut offers complicate matters, given earlier reporting that Maloney and Fotheringham had agreed terms on new contracts. How the club resolves the impasse will shape the tone of O'Neill's tenure.

What to watch: Watch whether Maloney and Fotheringham accept the revised terms or look elsewhere, and when Celtic formally confirm the completed backroom team.

Sources