According to The Daily Record, Shaun Maloney has held talks with Celtic over a return to the club this summer.
It’s claimed that Maloney has held ‘initial discussions’ with Peter Lawwell over a move back to Parkhead after Euro 2020.
Lawwell may be leaving this summer, but he is still trying to help Celtic moving forward, and his parting gift could be a deal for Maloney.
Maloney is thought to be close friends with Fergal Harkin, the Manchester City man who could become Celtic’s director of football.
Harkin has already recommended a deal for Yokohama F. Marinos boss Ange Postecoglou, and Maloney may join his staff.
The problem for Celtic is that Maloney works alongside Roberto Martinez with Belgium, and Martinez would want to take Maloney with him if he becomes Barcelona boss this summer.
Celtic’s big hope would be that Maloney’s personal ties to Celtic would convince him to snub Barca and head back to Glasgow, but that’s far from a guarantee.
The 38-year-old had two spells with Celtic as a player, racking up 52 goals in 215 games for the club, and started his coaching career in Celtic’s development squad.
A return to Celtic could be appealing, and would give Postecoglou a ‘Celtic man’ to gain information from in his first big European job.
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