SHAUN MALONEY has just parted Celtic for the third time in his career to take on a new challenge with the Belgium national side.

The former Celtic midfielder surprised many when he took up a role last month and initially thought he could manage both roles going forward.

He realised quickly that it wasn’t going to be possible and made a decision to go be a first team coach for a top international side instead of coaching at developmental level with Celtic.

Speaking to Sun Sport about his career, the little midfielder said he has only one massive regret in his footballing days – Seville.

Celtic were up against Porto in the Uefa Cup Final in 2003 and twice came from behind on the night to take it into overtime.

It wasn’t enough and a ten men Celtic finally fell to a side who would only a year later win the Champions League.

Maloney came on as a substitute that evening and tried his best to help his teammates.

The Belgium coach bemoans a free kick that he took towards the end of the game.

Speaking about the experience, he said it took him a long time to get over the final and his performance in it – wishing he could have done more to help secure the trophy.

“The free kick in Seville — I’m okay with it now but for many years I thought about it a lot.

“I’ve never watched that game back. I don’t think I ever will. That moment at the end stayed with me for a long time.

“The night itself took a long time to get over, a long time, much longer than I expected there and then.

“I’ve not really spoken about it before but it was tough. It took a hell of a long time to get over as it hurt so much.”

Shaun had to playing stints at Celtic. Coming through the ranks as a young lad with Aiden McGeady before heading off down south with Aston Villa, he then came back for 3 more years before again heading south, this time to Wigan where he enjoyed great success.

So much so, he has landed the Belgium job because of his rapport with current Belgium boss Roberto Martinez who signed him from Celtic to Wigan.

 

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