Celtic ready to hijack Aberdeen winger talks and offer coaching role – report
By Danny Wright
Celtic are weighing up the possibility of bringing Shaun Maloney back to Parkhead this summer by offering him a coaching role in the Under-20s team, according to a report.
The Daily Mail claims that the Hoops could potentially hijack Aberdeen’s move for the 34-year-old as Derek McInnes is in talks with the ex-Hull attacker over adding him to his playing squad ahead of the upcoming Scottish Premiership season.
It is understood that Celtic are in need of a new coach for the youth team after Jim McGuinness joined Chinese Super League side Beijing Sinobo Guoan in June.
The report adds that Maloney is interested in the role at Celtic Park despite him being on the verge of signing a two-year deal with Aberdeen before he admitted to having an injury problem.
Dons boss McInnes has confirmed that he is still hopeful of getting a deal done for the attack-minded winger.
“There’s still a willingness from both parties, Shaun and ourselves, to get a deal done, but Shaun flagged up a wee concern when we met up,” said McInnes, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“It’s very unusual for a footballer to be as honest, open and transparent, but he wants to be our best player, he doesn’t want to be a burden.”
Maloney is said to have turned down the chance to pen a one-year contract extension with Hull and now finds himself as a free agent.
The Scot has previously had two spells with Celtic, leaving them most recently in 2011 before he signed for Wigan.
In total, Maloney scored 29 goals in 131 appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions.
Football Insider Verdict
This is such a massive decision for Maloney to take, because he could effectively be ending his playing career if he opted for the coaching role at Celtic. Aberdeen would be a good club for the 34-year-old to join, especially if he can pen a two-year deal, but it’s unlikely that he will be offered a decent coaching role at Parkhead in the future and he might have to take the opportunity. His injury problem is definitely something that must be considered by the Dons. They can’t afford to have someone on board for the next couple of years who isn’t able to play, and that issue is probably what will force Maloney into making a decision.
In other Celtic news, Jonny Hayes says that this Hoops team-mate terrifies him.
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