Major coup for Celtic as ex-player close to key appointment | OneFootball

Former Celtic attacker Shaun Maloney looks set to return to the club filling a key vacancy at the club. The former Belgium No.2 is reportedly ready to take over in the Professional Player Pathway Manager role vacated by Darren O’Dea.

As reported by The Sun, Maloney is set to be confirmed by Celtic as the 42-year-old takes up a backroom role with the Scottish Champions.

Maloney is a former player but it is a coup of an announcement given his experience as a coach, initially coming through Celtic’s Academy as a coach. Maloney has the advantage over other candidates in that he has been through the academy and pushed into the first time at Celtic.

GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM – MARCH 19: Shaun Maloney of Celtic celebrates after scoring during the CIS Insurance Cup Final soccer match between Celtic and Dunfermline at Hampden Park March 19, 2006 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Maloney is well regarded in the coaching world, having managed in his own right with Hibs and Wigan Athletic. The Easter Road vacancy proved to be too much too soon for the budding coach and the likelihood is that, had he been given time, Maloney would’ve impressed.

Having made his debut in a 3-0 win at Ibrox in April 2001, Maloney went on to become one of the club’s brightest talents in that era. It is probably accurate to say that his second spell wasn’t as successful as his first but he was still a valuable player during a period that he struggled with injuries.

Across two spells at Celtic, Maloney made 202 appearances, scoring 50 goals and assisting on four occasions. The Scotland Internationalist departed for Wigan Athletic, where he would win the FA Cup against all odds for The Latics.