Maloney and Fotheringham agree new Celtic deals pending final sign-off

Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham have agreed financial terms on new Celtic contracts for the forthcoming season, pending final sign-off. Only the remaining contractual details remain to be resolved, with those provisions expected to be agreed today. The framework mirrors the agreements previously used for coaching staff under Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy. If finalised as anticipated, confirmation of Martin O’Neill’s backroom team is expected shortly, with an official announcement likely in the coming days.

Maloney and Fotheringham’s continued presence follows a season in which Celtic reclaimed the Scottish Premiership title. O’Neill and his staff inherited a side sitting 14 points adrift at the top of the table before overturning the deficit to finish as champions. Across O’Neill’s two spells this season, Celtic amassed 59 points from 23 matches and posted a +30 goal difference.

Their title rivals struggled to match that momentum. Hearts collected 46 points from 24 matches, Rangers 45 from 23, and Motherwell 37 from 23. Maloney and Fotheringham’s contributions were pivotal in restoring standards, intensity, and belief within the squad.

Celtic’s domestic success extended beyond the league. In May, the club secured a domestic double with a Scottish Cup final victory over Dunfermline Athletic. The 86 per cent domestic win rate and 83 per cent league win rate underscored the team’s confidence and consistency under O’Neill’s leadership.

Defensive organisation improved markedly, performances became more controlled, and the squad rediscovered the resilience required to navigate a title race. Maloney and Fotheringham played key roles in this transformation, having initially joined on an interim basis in December 2025.

Mark Fotheringham described the decision to return to Celtic as immediate and instinctive. Speaking to WFi in December 2025, he said: “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.”

Fotheringham added: “It has been a special feeling because Celtic means everything to us.” The agreement on new contracts reflects the club’s confidence in the coaching team’s ability to sustain this level of performance.