Throwback Thursday: Shaun Maloney

Shaun Maloney played 45 minutes as Scotland beat Northern Ireland 1-0 at Hampden Park last night ahead of their crucial European Championship qualifier with Gibraltar on Sunday.

The former Aston Villa midfielder has scored twice in four qualifying matches as Scotland have enjoyed a promising start to their campaign.

After 13 seasons in British football the veteran free-kick specialist is now plying his trade in the MLS with Chicago Fire and will be key to Scottish hopes.

As a nation waits with baited breath, we take a look at Maloney's career to date.

Maloney playing for Scotland

Factfile:

Full Name: Shaun Richard Maloney
Date of Birth: 24/1/1983
Nationality: Scottish
Height: 1.70m
Clubs: Celtic, Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Chicago Fire*
Club Appearances: 342*
Club Goals: 74*

International Appearances: 35*

International Goals: 4*

Honours: 

Scottish Premier League 2000/01, 01/02, 03/04, 05/06 & 06/07

Scottish Cup 2001, 04, 05, 07, 11

Scottish League Cup 2001, 06, 09

FA Cup 2013

Scottish PFA Player of the Year 2006

Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year 2006

The Early Years:

Born in Malaysia, Maloney moved to Aberdeen aged five before joining Celtic in 1999 making his debut two years later against in the Old Firm Derby against Rangers.

The young forward played a bit part role as the Bhoys completed a domestic treble in his first season in the first team.

However, Maloney did score in a quarter-final against Stuttgart as Celtic made the 2003 UEFA Cup Final – he came on as a substitute in the final but Jose Mourinho’s Porto won 3-2 after extra time.

The Scottish midfielder scored six times in the 2003/04 season but just as he was establishing himself in the side he picked up a cruciate ligament injury which saw him miss over a year of football.

Maloney celebrate's scoring in the 2006 Scottish league cup final

Scottish Highs and English Woes:

Maloney finally shot to stardom during a sparkling 2005/06 season which saw him earn his first Scotland captain and win the Scottish PFA Player of the Year award.

Celtic won the league and the League Cup as Maloney scored 16 and made 28 assists from his new position on the left of a midfield four.

Despite his wonderful season the club could not agree a new contract with Maloney and he joined Aston Villa for £1million in January 2007 having made 138 appearances for Celtic.

Maloney joined former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill at Villa but he struggled with homesickness and was unable to find the form that had seen him shine in Scotland.

Homecoming:

Maloney scored seven times in 33 appearances for Aston Villa, including a brace in a memorable 4-4 draw with Chelsea, before returning to Celtic for £3million in August 2008.

He marked his second debut with a man of the match performance in a 3-0 victory over Falkirk, coming off the bench to make two assists.

A series of injuries hampered Maloney’s second spell at Celtic, he made just 77 appearances in four seasons.

Even so, the midfielder had won 13 major trophies and scored 52 times in 215 appearances for the club by the time he left for Wigan in 2011.

The Scot in action for Chicago Fire

Wembley Wonderland:

Now 28, Maloney signed for Roberto Martinez’s side for £850,000 on a three-year deal and scored three crucial goals as Wigan avoided relegation in 2012.

The following year Maloney won a place in English football history in 2013 as Wigan became the first Premier League side to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season.

Maloney scored in their Wembley semi-final victory over Millwall and provided the assist for Ben Watson’s winner as the Latics pulled off a stunning 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final.

Wigan were relegated three days later and Maloney spent two years in the Championship before agreeing a move to Chicago Fire ahead of MLS’s 2015 season.

What’s Next:

The former Celtic man is one of Chicago’s designated players but has been helpless to prevent his side suffering defeat in their opening three games.

Still only 32, Maloney could return to European football but for now his sights are set on helping Scotland qualify for a first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

Under Gordon Strachan’s guidance Scotland lie in one of the three qualifying positions in their group after four games.

Images courtesy of Jeff J Mitchell, Alex Livesey and Thearon W. Henderson with thanks