MARTIN O'NEILL has confirmed that Shaun Maloney could return to Celtic this summer.

The Aston Villa boss had previously denied reports that the forward is set to head back to Parkhead.

Maloney moved to the Premiership 18 months ago in a £1million deal, but Villa could want around £3m to let him go, with a possible deal involving Lee Naylor going the other way said to be a non-starter.

The Irishman said: "Maloney has been linked with Celtic every single day since he signed. I'll not dismiss anything, because the last thing I want to is say no' and it to come back and haunt me.

"The first mention of that came from Scotland. That's not to say Celtic wouldn't want Shaun Maloney back."

Maloney is known to be keen on a return to Glasgow, after failing to settle in the Midlands and not playing as much first-team football as he would have liked.

Rangers have also been posted with an interest, but there has been no moves made by the Ibrox club for the 25 year-old Scotland man.

Kilmarnock midfielder Rhian Dodds has remained in Scotland to work on his rehab while the rest of Jim Jefferies' squad do their pre-season work in Italy.

Dodds is recovering from groin surgery and has been given a short-term deal by Jefferies until Christmas. If the can prove his long-term fitness there is the prospect of a new deal.

He said: "The gaffer didn't want to give me a long-term deal which is understandable. I just want to get fit and I'm not really thinking about contracts.

"I have been out since December and it's been a bit of a nightmare. But hopefully when the lads return I can ease back into things."