Celtic interim assistant manager Shaun Maloney has been speaking to the media before Sunday’s Premiership match at home to Falkirk.
Here are the main points:
- On drawing Stuttgart in the Europa League play-off, Maloney says “it’s a great tie” and the win over Utrecht on Thursday night “felt like a special one for us”.
- He adds on Stuttgart: “It’s a brilliant game, brilliant for our supporters. From probably where we were post-Midtjylland to actually qualify, the players did a brilliant job.”
- Maloney, who scored against Stuttgart back in 2003 on Celtic’s road to the Uefa Cup final, remembers his goal but also recalls “hanging on for dear life in the away leg”.
- Maloney stresses the belief Celtic can go deep in the Europa League is “growing” given they felt their chances were “less than 50/50” before the win in Feyenoord which was “the big turning point”.
- Maloney jokes his role in recruitment is “not as big as what Martin says” and suggests O’Neill “underplays his own efforts” in the process, stressing the 73-year-old “has the final say” on any transfers.
- The 43-year-old says “we are definitely trying to change parts of the recruitment process” but admits he has been “really happy” with the two new arrivals, Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara.
- On potential new arrivals – Celtic have been linked with Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis and Dunajska Streda forward Damir Redzic among others – Maloney says the players they want to bring in are “really specific” and is “hopeful” deals can be done for them, adding he “feels that deals are close”.
- The coach says “bringing in another two or three would be a massive help” adding: “The work’s been done, in fairness to the board they’re there and ready to get deals done.”
- Maloney has been really impressed by O’Neill’s management style and his “ability to bring out the best of players”, saying “it’s been fascinating working with him” and “really enjoyable”.
- On Falkirk, Maloney admits Celtic were “fortunate” to beat them 1-0 earlier this month and praised the work of his former Parkhead colleague John McGlynn at the Bairns this season.
- Team news: no fresh concerns after Thursday night.
