Celtic pundit Colin Watt has talked about Shaun Maloney and whether he can manage the Bhoys in the near future.
Watt hosted the latest episode of the ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ podcast and the panel talked about multiple issues involving the Bhoys. The main topic of discussion was Neil Lennon’s departure and potential replacements. Watt talked about Shaun Maloney and he believes that there is a chance of Celtic hiring the former Bhoys player.
Maloney is a former Celtic player and he came through the Bhoys youth academy too. He played in the club’s first-team for about six years and then left the club to join Aston Villa in the January of 2007 (as per Transfermarkt). He is currently an assistant manager under Roberto Martinez at Belgium.
Do you think Celtic should appoint Maloney?
Yes
No
Watt believes that Celtic currently have a better chance of hiring a younger manager who can be moulded by a director of football instead of hiring someone experienced.
Watt said (30:04): “I think there’s more chance of getting Maloney and having him moulded by a director of football than bringing in someone who obviously has the managerial experience, has done it at some big clubs down south.
“I can’t see him not having the full control over the club unless it’s someone that he’s really well connected about. Like if there’s someone that he’s really friendly with and he’s worked with him before then perhaps, that would be the thing. But it doesn’t really seem to be the case. I think it could be someone like Shaun Maloney, like a younger coach.”
TIF Thoughts on Shaun Maloney…
Apart from being a former Celtic player, Maloney has managed at Parkhead at different levels. He was the assistant manager for the club’s Under-20s side and he took over the same role for the Hoops Reserves’ side too (as per Transfermarkt).
This clearly shows that Maloney has a special connection with the club. He plies his trade under Martinez, who has a reputation for playing attacking football which is possession based. If Maloney could use a similar approach in his tactics, that could well please Celtic fans.