Maloney was on media duties for Martin O'Neill, who is dealing with a personal issue

Shaun Maloney hopes a truce can be reached between Celtic and the Green Brigade.

The stayaway ultras will sit out Thursday night's showdown with Celta Vigo after announcing a boycott of all home Europa League and Scottish Cup fixtures.

Hoops assistant Maloney admits the Scottish champions will miss the colour and noise created by the boisterous North Curve corner as they desperately look to get their European campaign back on track.

And with no end in sight to the civil war between fans and board, Maloney admits the ongoing battle is doing Martin O'Neill's side no favours.

He said: "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.

"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.

"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 in media duties as the No2 stepped in for boss Martin O'Neill, who was dealing with a personal matter but will be in the dugout on Thursday.

Asked if a win against Celta Vigo could fast-track a peace deal, Maloney said: "I hope so. I'm not sure. We had an amazing result in the last game.

"The atmosphere in the stadium was really good and we need it because we've obviously got challenges within the team trying to improve certain areas.

"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."

Meanwhile Maloney revealed Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston could make their injury comebacks in this weekend's trip to Easter Road.

Carter-Vickers has been sidelined since the internaitonal break with a muscle issue, while Johnston suffered a hamstring blow in August.

He added: "Alistair's been back training a little bit longer, Cameron just started this week. Both won't make tomorrow but they should, if it goes well in the next couple of days, be available for the squad on Sunday.

"Auston Trusty has got a private matter, so he won't make tomorrow. Oliver Sorensen was pretty similar but he's back in the country today so he'll be in the squad tomorrow."