Maloney returns to Celtic in player development role
Manager Brendan Rodgers says former winger Shaun Maloney "will make a great contribution" to Celtic after returning to the club in a player development role.The ex-Hibernian head coach had been out of work since being sacked as Wigan boss in March, but the 42-year-old is now back at Parkhead as "professional player pathway manager".Celtic say the aim of the "hugely important" role is "developing the progression of players" at the club, and Maloney will work closely with Rodgers, head of football operations Paul Tisdale and the academy.Maloney, who came through the Celtic ranks before playing more than 200 first-team games and winning five league titles, said: "It is a huge honour to be given this opportunity to return to Celtic, in a role which I am really passionate about."My aim will be to work really closely between our academy and the first team and create the very best opportunities for success, which will ultimately be represented by more and more players reaching our first team environment."I have been fortunate enough to follow this same pathway and I am now excited about ensuring many more young players can take this same journey."First-team manager Rodgers added: "Shaun 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."
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