John Hartson makes Shaun Maloney Celtic prediction; can't resist cheeky Ibrox dig

By Hamish Carton

December 14, 2021

John Hartson reckons Shaun Maloney will want to manage against Celtic on Sunday, if he is named Hibernian boss in time.

The former Hoops forward thinks his ex-teammate will want to face Ange Postecoglou’s men in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden.

Maloney has not yet been announced as Hibs’ Jack Ross replacement, but it does seem like a matter of when and not if.

Hibs reached the final by beating Rangers last month, as new Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst sat in the stand.

And the Welshman couldn’t resist the opportunity to poke fun at the Ibrox side for not making the final.

“Everybody thought that Celtic would be playing Rangers in the cup final,” Hartson said on the Go Radio Football Show. (14/12)

“You look at Van Bronckhorst and he came and sat in his seat up in the stand.

“Hindsight is a great thing. If he had gone in the dressing room, if he had acted as manager that day it might well have been different.

“It might not, but we won’t know.

“So I think if Shaun Maloney is named manager by the weekend he will want to take charge.

“He’s the manager by the game. I don’t think there is any need for him not to be in charge. If he is the manager, he is the manager.

“He will want to take the credit for that cup win.”

If Hartson is right, Celtic will need to be wary of Maloney bounce

If this season has proven anything, it is that new managers can often bring about a quick change in fortunes.

Hibs have had a tough time lately, but the pressure will all be on Celtic on Sunday.

We will be the big favourites, and likely up against a manager who has only just taken over his new side.

Add in a bit of cup final randomness and it has the potential to be an awkward afternoon for Ange’s side.

It’s something we will have to be mindful of.

But before we can even begin to properly think about Hibs, we must deal with Ross County tomorrow night in Dingwall.

In other news, Joe Hart showed his class again earlier today as he spoke about the Celtic support