SHAUN MALONEY has cut ties with Celtic for a third time in his career after deciding to leave his coaching role with the developmental side to join up full time with Belgium.
It took many people by surprise a month or so back when Maloney was announced as a new member of Roberto Martinez backroom team and at the time the former Scottish international assured everyone he would be staying on at Celtic.
However, Shaun has taken the decision to leave the club to focus solely on his Belgium role alongside his former boss Martinez and Thierry Henry.
Maloney started his career at Celtic before leaving the club for England back in 2007. He spent some time at Aston Villa but then re-signed for the club a year or so later. He would leave the club a second time in 2011 when Wigan came calling, managed at the time by Martinez.
Shaun retired last summer with offers on the table to continue his playing career.
The midfielder was offered the chance to come in and become a coach at Lennoxtown and he gladly accepted.
Shaun now looks to put what he’s learned at Celtic into practice with the Belgium set up.
Speaking about his time at Celtic and move – the former Celtic hero seemed grateful.
“I would like to thank Brendan and Peter for giving me this great opportunity at Celtic, and it is one I have enjoyed immensely. The past year has been a great opportunity for me to work with the young players at the club, and it has been a role I have given everything to.” Shaun told the official Celtic website.
“The players and staff have been a pleasure to work with and I would like to thank them all for the time we have had together. All the players in the squad work tirelessly each day and I am sure many of these young players will see this pay off in the next few years as they start to make an impression at first team level.
