manager's delight at 'new' bhoy

Gregor Kyle
GORDON Strachan welcomed Shaun Maloney to Lennoxtown for his first day of training yesterday and told supporters that they are getting a consummate professional who is determined to improve at Celtic Park.

The manager also expressed the belief that Maloney will have learned from his time in the Midlands, stating that the midfielder should have no regrets about his time at Aston Villa.

“The players, staff, management and directors are very happy that he’s back in town,” he commented.
“Everybody has to stand by the decisions that you make and you can’t look back and say ‘I wish I had done that or that’.

“It’s all part of making you who you are, decision-making, that’s whether you are right or wrong. It makes you who you are.

“What we will get is a player who wants to be better than he was the last time he was here. That’s terrific, because we all know how hard he works and how well he listens.

“I don’t know how well he is going to play, but we are getting a player who leaves nothing to chance in his preparation. He works and listens to make himself better.”

When Maloney’s comments about missing the constant pressure to succeed in Glasgow were then highlighted, the manager smiled before continuing: “He was brought up in that pressure and sometimes when people leave Celtic and that pressure is not there, they miss something in their life. It’s like a drug, it’s that need to win things.”

The players will be hoping to get back to winning ways against former Celt John Hughes’ Falkirk this afternoon, with Maloney going straight into the squad for the game at Celtic Park.

Glenn Loovens may also be in line for his first start if Gary Caldwell fails to shake off an injury, although Paul Hartley is fully recovered, having played through the pain barrier in last weekend’s draw with Dundee United at Tannadice.

“It takes a lot to knock Paul out,” Gordon Strachan added. “How he played last week at Tannadice I’ll never know and he played very well.

“I was at the Falkirk game last week against Hibs and it was an absolutely terrific game, a good advert for Scottish football that might give a few coaches heart-attacks on the defensive side, but it was a good advert.

“I’ve enjoyed the football so far and Falkirk have been a big part of that enjoyment, but hopefully that will stop today.

“They must be pleased with their start and it’s unfortunate that they have not picked up any points,” added the manager, “because I watched John’s team last year and they didn’t play as well as that at times but got the points.

“That’s football, it happened to us last year and I will wish John all the best – after today.”