CELTIC have confirmed former fans’ favourite Shaun Maloney has returned to Parkhead for a third spell.
The 34-year-old ex-Scotland international midfielder has retired as a player to take up a coaching role with the Hoops’ Development side just weeks after it looked like he would sign for Aberdeen.
However, the potential two-year deal with the Dons fell through when the player flagged up a hernia problem.
The 34-year-old comes back to Parkhead following the departure of Jim McGuinness, who quit to take up a post in China.
A Celtic statement said: “We are delighted to announce that Shaun Maloney has returned to the club, taking up a role as a development coach with the Under-20s.
“Everyone at Celtic welcomes Shaun back to the club and wishes him every success in his new coaching role.”
Maloney graduated from the Celtic Academy and spent seven years at the club before moving to Aston Villa in 2007, bought by ex-boss Martin O’Neill.
He returned to the east end of Glasgow a year later and spent three more years at the Hoops before joining Wigan.
Maloney, who has 47 caps, also had spells at Chicago Fire and Hull City, but is now set to begin a career in coaching.
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