Shaun Maloney has put former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers in the upper echelon of football managers as he revealed his 'invaluable' mentorship.
The ex-Hoops star was handed a coaching role under the Northern Irishman after his playing career came to an abrupt end through injury, and admits it was a blessing in disguise as he began mapping out his eventual jump in to full management. Maloney was part of the Parkhead furniture before progressing to be integral to Roberto Martinez's set-up at Belgium.
It was unmitigated disaster that followed at Hibs in Maloney's short tenure at Easter Road, after he was given just four months to pull off a rescue mission following Jack Ross' departure. The 39-year-old lifted the lid on the relationship he had pre, during and post his time at Hibs, but says the experience of working with Rodgers will never leave him. He told the Coaches Voice: "The opportunity to meet Brendan Rodgers over breakfast to discuss joining his staff had come equally out of the blue.
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“It was July 2017, and I’d just been forced to accept the prospect that hip surgery had ended my dream of playing for Aberdeen, my hometown club. I’d been desperate to play for them, but when I realised I faced another five months on the sidelines I knew I wouldn’t be able to give them what I wanted.
“Celtic had drawn 0-0 with Rosenborg in the Champions League the night before. Brendan asked me some questions about the game before explaining the role he saw for me with their B team. By then, he had already completely changed the professionalism and culture of the club. That made it the perfect first step for me as a coach, and at the perfect time.
“Brendan’s coaches – Chris Davies and John Kennedy were among them – shared the same offices, and he was always really clear on the culture and standards he sets, and how he wanted his team to play. He’s a brilliant manager – tactically very good, particularly whenever I went to him with a query.
"We’ve stayed in touch, and he was brilliant to speak with before I took the manager’s job at Hibernian – as he was during my time there and after I left. Some of the best managers are really, really gracious with their time.”
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