MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 25: (L-R) Celtic Coaches Mark Fotheringham, Stephen McManus, Interim Coach Shaun Maloney and Interim Manager Martin O'Neill during a William Hill Premiership match between Motherwell and Hibernian at Fir Park, on November 25, 2025, in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Shaun Maloney has revealed that he gave a two year commitment to Celtic last summer.
After spells managing Hibs and Wigan the former Scotland forward took a step back by taking up the role of Pathways Manager at Celtic.
Maloney also had a spell coaching the Belgian national side alongside his former Wigan boss, Roberto Martinez.
It seemed an unlikely career move to be working on lower division loans compared to training alongside with Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Axel Witsel.
Maloney set up a co-op arrangement with Ayr United and some other loan deals.
Josh Clarke and Ben MacPherson have excelled on loan at Partick Thistle. Maloney is a former team-mate of Mark Wilson.
MALONEY- PLAYER AND COACH
Having made his Celtic debut as a teenager at Ibrox in 2001 Maloney has built up an exceptional contact book. And front line experience of playing and management.
When Celtic faced a crisis with the resignation of Brendan Rodgers they turned to their Pathways Manager.
Maloney was on the training ground at Lennoxtown the next morning. He called in Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus. Then Martin O’Neill arrived.
Next to nothing has been discussed about Celtic’s plans for next season.
Speaking to The Herald, Maloney confirmed that he will remain at the club:
I gave Michael [Celtic chief executive Nicholson] and the board my word I would do the job this season and next, and I will stick to that,” he said.
I wanted to take that time away from management. It hasn’t worked out that way with everything that has happened. But I have really enjoyed being back out on the grass with the players and being involved in games again.
The role that I took, managing the exits and the loans, didn’t involve me being on the pitch. I was going to a lot of games, I was watching the younger players, I was visiting the players who are on loan at a more senior level.
But at the moment, the plan is just to go back to that role as soon as this season is finished. As I say, I gave my word that I wouldn’t go anywhere else for those two seasons, and I will stick to that. I am really enjoying being back at the club.
I don’t think the pro licence is relatable. I have already done Hibs and Wigan while I have been doing the pro licence. I will see what it looks like after the next 12 to 14 months. But I gave my word to Michael and the board that I would do it for two years. At the moment, I am okay. I am really enjoying working with Martin.
Whatever happens at Celtic it seems inevitable that Maloney has a hands on role at Celtic next season.
Wilfried Nancy overlooked that option, lasted 33 days and is in the history books for all of the wrong reasons.
With his experience and knowledge a difficult summer transition will be made slightly easier with Maloney around to assist or front the new management team.
They excelled on loan so much they’ve agreed permanent moves to Maryhill at end of this season. Ben Summers agreed a similar loan-to-perm deal to Ayr Utd in January too.
It begs the recurring, begging question: “What TF is the development squad actually for?”
Oh, and if Desmond/Lawwell’s puppet survives until summer could SM be given his “dream job”? Certainly an accountant’s choice or even a lost-his-way, low level solicitor’s choice, that is if the low-life lawyer actually HAD a choice which, of course, he doesn’t.
And whilst we’ve been screaming out for change in the CP boardroom since very soon after Lawwell’s arrival, it now seems, like buses, they all arrive at once. So who’s going to get 1st place and will ANY of them be able to effect change? The Celtic Fans Collective? Celtic Supporters Limited? Lord FN Haughey’s interjection, which to me looks like deflection from Not Another Penny campaign? And I’m reading possibly another option on eTims site which offers a fair amount of detail?
One thing’s certain, the current shower need to be hunted and their replacement has to know that Celtic supporters are made of stern stuff when poked in the eye with a stick. Pity the motivation which seems to be around in spades just now is more often than not just apathy with a wee bit of background noise. UP THE REPUBLIC! 🙂
Not many young yin’s coming through…
Maybe hope with Dane Murray though !
Can think of 3 attacking midfielders – all regular B goalscorers – who should be coming through. Two are regulars training with 1st team and should be playing by now.
If big boy Pete comes back as CEO in summer, rest assured you’ll never see them again.