Shaun Maloney is reportedly being considered for a sporting director position at Celtic as the Hoops prepares for another summer of major change behind the scenes.
The former Scotland international played an important role during Celtic’s double-winning campaign after joining Martin O’Neill’s backroom team, helping guide the club to both the Premiership title and Scottish Cup success.
Maloney – who previously managed Hibernian and Wigan Athletic, is also understood to have been heavily involved in Celtic’s recruitment strategy during the January transfer window as the club chased down Hearts in the title race.
According to the Daily Record, the ex-Celtic midfielder is now under consideration for the sporting director role ahead of next season.
Such a move would offer the club a degree of continuity in an area that has seen frequent change in recent years.
The report comes amid ongoing discussions over Martin O’Neill’s future. The Celtic board are believed to be keen to keep the 74 year-old in place permanently despite his repeated suggestions throughout the campaign that he could depart at the end of the season.
According to the report, Maloney’s contribution alongside O’Neill and coach Mark Fotheringham is said to have impressed senior figures within the club.
Before stepping into first-team duties, the former winger had already been working at Lennoxtown in a developmental role after succeeding Darren O’Dea as pathway manager.
Whether O’Neill and Maloney remain at Celtic beyond the summer has still to be determined. However, if O’Neill ultimately decides against staying on, Maloney could find himself overseeing the search for a new manager.
Former Celtic striker Robbie Keane has emerged as one possible candidate following his departure from Ferencvaros, while Craig Bellamy is also believed to be under consideration.
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1 Comment
Think both Maloney and fozzy would be best suited in remaining in there current roles within the coaching staff imo?
Think Nancy hardly helped himself, by not using what both could provide?
Players seem to have a decent working relationship with both also, so provides a bit more stability within our playing structure, which will have some amount of changes within it, over the course of this summer?
Keeping as much of the team spirit that got generated, will be crucial for incoming players to settle quickly. Than having to face and deal with a summer period of such discontent within it?
With the expected amount of turn around in players, keeping some form of stability and unity intact, should be taken into consideration also, than causing to much upheaval within the whole process, that will be required imo?