What two senior Celtic figures have told Shaun Maloney about his return to Parkhead

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Shaun Maloney returns to Celtic in an official capacity for the first time since leaving the club in 2018.

Maloney’s appointment was met with a mixed reaction from some Celtic supporters but there is no doubt the former Parkhead striker does bring a lot to the role.

Experience at international level with Belgium at the Euros, managing Wigan and Hibs, Maloney knows what it takes to do the job in the dugout, and as a player after two stints at Celtic during his playing career.

The 42-year-old is also a product of the Celtic Academy and it appears that this was a major selling point to Hoops boss, Brendan Rodgers and Paul Tisdale.

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Paul Tisdale speaks for the first time after Celtic appoint Shaun Maloney

Paul Tisdale, Celtic’s Head of Football Operations, has spoken for the first time since joining the club and seems to be over the moon at the appointment of Maloney.

Tisdale told Celtic’s official website, “I am delighted that we have been able to bring Shaun back to the club in this role.

“Shaun will be tasked with developing the internal and external processes necessary to ensure we optimise the talents of our young players.

“Through his experience and knowledge, we believe Shaun will add significant value to the role”.

Brendan Rodgers says Shaun Maloney will be ‘invaluable’ to Celtic

Brendan Rodgers and Shaun Maloney have always had a very good relationship off the pitch. And now that they are at Celtic together, the Parkhead boss was delighted with the appointment.

Welcoming Shaun back to Celtic, Rodgers said: “I am really pleased to welcome Shaun to this post. He is someone I believe will make a great contribution to the club in this area.

“He is an intelligent guy who knows what it takes to be a successful Celtic player and I think his experience will be invaluable in this role.

“He has all the credentials to be really successful in positively developing our younger players.”

Maloney has a big job on his hands at Celtic as many fans have shown frustration at the lack of academy players progressing into the Hoops’ first-team.

Hopefully Maloney’s experience of being an academy graduate himself will be a key driver in improving this at Celtic and supporters get to see some home-grown talent become Parkhead stars of the future.