The gaffer missed media duties ahead of the clash with Celta Vigo for personal reasons

Shaun Maloney insists restoring Celtic's Euro reputation is top priority as the Hoops must target making a splash in continental competition.

The Hoops no.2 revealed Martin O’Neill will be back in the dugout for Celta Vigo after missing pre-match media duties for personal reasons.

And Maloney insisted the Parkhead club must dream big when competing with the Euro big guns.

The coach was part of the Celts side that reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2003 – and defeated Celta Vigo along the way.

He is convinced there IS a desire to restore Celtic’s reputation in Europe and get back to the latter stages.

The Hoops are pointless in the Europa League but are out to get off the mark against the Spaniards tonight.

And Maloney said: “There have been teams throughout Europe even without the biggest budgets who have shown they can have deep runs in Europe.

“That should be what we are aspiring to do. To do that we have to get everything right. Obviously us as coaches, recruitment, all departments of the club have to be bang on to get those runs.

“We’re obviously not there now but that is what we should aspire to. Even with our budget in terms of the European stage, we should be trying to get as far in European competition as we possibly can.

“Recently clubs with a similar budget have done it so that has to be our motivation. It’s difficult for me to say we are close after being beaten by Benfica and Ferencvaros.

“As a team we have a lot of work to do to beat Celta Vigo.”

Celtic fans have been frustrated at the failure to prepare for Europe – and the Green Brigade are boycotting tonight’s clash.

But Maloney is convinced the powers at Parkhead are determined to make an impact on the continent.

The assistant – who revealed defender Auston Trusty will miss out due to a personal issue – said: “I hope so. I haven’t heard anyone saying anything different. In fairness, I don’t speak to the board very often, that’s for the boss.

“But I hope so. Every supporter is desperate for that. They are desperate to get back to the Champions League, which will be hard as we have to win our own domestic league first.

“But it’s something I know the fans are desperate for and while we are in the Europa League, how deep can we go?

“I felt we were at a really good level in Europe last year but we want to get back to those levels and kick on.

“We do have to push but to do that we have to get everything right.

“Our reputation in Europe is really important.

“The European games are so important to the club and the history of the club that you have to go for it.

“This is now a really, really important game.

“Looking at our away games, people have already paid and booked up to follow the team, some have to try our best to have an impact on the European scene.

“That is ingrained in you here. It’s hard, but we have to try.

“It’s a huge game. We need to start getting points really.

“I think we have shown on certain away games that we can produce a performance to win.

“Generally in these competitions, the home games will determine whether we make it into the second stage, like we did last year. It’s a really big game.”

Celtic’s ultras section will be empty this evening but Maloney won’t bash any fans.

He said: “It’s a really difficult position. I’d imagine those guys (who are boycotting) are the same ones who went to Benfica and Motherwell away.

“So, it’s a really difficult moment. I hope we get to a stage where we are all united again.

“If these guys are missing tomorrow then I respect their decision. I respect the ones coming to the game.

“I am just hopeful we can get back to the feeling we had towards the end of last season.

“We had it against Hearts at the weekend too. It was brilliant atmosphere.

“You can’t underestimate how big an impact it can have. We were coming back from the Benfica defeat and they were brilliant.

“Whoever the key guys are in the supporters groups and the club, hopefully we can find a way to get through this.”