Roberto Martinez expects Shaun Maloney to be in demand once the transfer window opens.
Maloney is playing a starring role in Wigan’s annual battle to escape relegation and will be the main threat to Manchester City’s hopes of lifting the FA Cup on Saturday at Wembley.
Former Motherwell defender Martinez signed Maloney for £1m in August 2011 and has had that fee repaid many times over with a string of vital goals and commanding performances.
“I would never be surprised if a club with more tradition and bigger power looks at him but that’s a compliment to us,” the Wigan boss said.
“I don’t want to see Shaun leaving because he’s so instrumental to what we do but it wouldn’t surprise me because he is a top player and has been consistent for 18 months now.
“He should be playing for teams fighting for titles. He’s got the quality of any player playing in that position. Shaun could have been born in any other country in terms of his technical ability.
“He is a player who could have been born in any other country in terms of the technical ability and the quality he has.
“When he first joined us he took a little bit of a time to get used to the pace of the league but he’s been magnificent and very consistent since he started playing regularly.
“I feel Shaun is a player who can play in any team. He is someone who can find space – he finds it so natural to turn – and players who can drive into space are a real strength to break things down.”
Before they turn their thoughts to Wembley Wigan host Swansea in a crucial Premiership clash tomorrow night.
Smashin player. To think he was crucified at times before he left fill me with sadness.
Good luck to him
Always thought he was a good player but he is just injury prone
Hope he does well in EPL. With a bit of luck we could be playing against him down in England soon
HH
Fab wee player abilitys never been a doubt bit injury prone for a while would love to see him back in the hoops hh
He was involved in all of their goals at the weekend great movement & crosses. Wasn’t consistent at Celtic even allowing for injuries. Sometimes just works out that way and good luck to him.
Great battle in the relegation zone got a feeling this wont be wigans year with FA Cup distracting.
Often a club winning cup gets relegated nevertheless playoffs are something we should be doing here. Fantastic excitement.
He was always our true gifted attacking player – learned from the best but his injuries hampered his Celtic career and nothing can change that.
Celtic had to make a calculated decision based on his history and they did. The right decision for both club and player imo and its worked out good for Shaun Maloney, and he deserves it.
I really hope Wigan stay up for Shaun’s benefit but with Caldwell at the back, they might be struggling 😛
Good luck Wigan HH
I wish the wee guy nothing but good fortune, genuinely gifted player. It didn’t work out for him second time around at Paradise, but that’s a common occurrence with different players/clubs.
In the end I think most people would agree his transfer to Wigan suited all parties involved, with no acrimony. I generally hope most ex-Celts do well, eg, good to see Lambo steering a young, exciting Villa team to safety, whilst sticking to his principals ( in a league, where they change managers at the drop of a hat, takes some cojones!)
I noticed a Wigan player stated that trying to pull off the now-familiar, Houdini routine was more exciting for the players and fans than mid-table mediocrity, which was boring and nobody notices you…that explains Martinez picking Caldwell !! HH
Never forget his goal from just inside the half way line
I simply love this guy called Maloney. His dedication, effort and free kick artistery is unique. He interests me a lot. Some times one can get biased in favour a player and to me Maloney is like that.
Of course my heart was broken when Wigan got relegated. But thank you all Wigan players, the manager Roberto and the owner Whelan for all your efforts. You had the FA cup in the most unlikely time oner expects you to bring.
You also have in your club that magnetic atmosphere of a champion team. I can not afford not to love you.