Shaun Maloney has made clear that any resolution between Celtic and sections of the support will have to come from senior figures at the club.

The Celtic assistant spoke to the media ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League match against Celta Vigo, with Martin O’Neill absent as he deals with a personal matter.

Celtic go into the game needing a result after defeats to Ferencvaros and Benfica in their opening two Europa League fixtures.

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The 7-1 win over Hearts lifted the mood on the pitch, but Celtic Park will have a different feel on Thursday, with the Green Brigade set to continue their boycott of home Europa League and Scottish Cup matches.

Maloney did not try to get into the politics of the situation, but he was clear about the effect a united support can have on the team.

He said: (RecordSport), “From when we stepped in a year ago to then feel and see how the stadium was in the last weeks of the season when everyone was together, all of us as staff, fans – everyone – are desperate to get that all the time.”

That period at the end of last season is still fresh in the mind.

Celtic found momentum, the crowd responded, and the connection between pitch and stands helped carry the team through tense moments.

Maloney added: “It’s really difficult to comment too much on that but if we can get to that place again that’d be amazing. I think the atmosphere against Hearts was really good.

“I think the travelling support at both Motherwell and Benfica were the same and the difference it makes is huge for the players and the staff. I’m not sure how we get there, I think that’s for the key people not me.”

Maloney was not blaming anyone or making demands, but he did point towards others at the club when asked how the situation can improve.

He continued: “But we’re all desperate to get to the point we were at in the last two or three weeks of last season. Because when the atmosphere in the stadium is like that, it’s a difficult place to go and play and it drives the players on.

“It’s a tough time again. Hopefully that can get resolved but it will be more senior people than me who will do that.”

Maloney was also asked whether a positive result could help ease the tension.

He said: “I hope so. I’m not sure.

“The fans make such a huge difference. I’m not sure the result of a game will change that side of things. But we’ll still have a really big crowd. But it’s a tough time. It’s difficult to talk about it.”

Celtic have no points from two Europa League games, and Thursday night needs to feel uncomfortable for the visitors, even with one section of the ground quieter than usual.

As Maloney made clear, the work to repair the wider relationship belongs elsewhere in the club. His concern is getting a team ready to win a game Celtic cannot afford to let drift.