Shaun Maloney Quotations

He was superb here as manager, and any team or country who would have him as a manager would be quite privileged. People talk about his man-management and his motivational skills - but he certainly knows the game.

It is funny because we never played up front together too much coming through the ranks. We have really only done that in the first team this season and have come on a lot together. Having grown up alongside one another it is refreshing to see Craig scoring goals.

Tommy Burns pulled me aside a few days before and told me there was a chance. I didn't want to think too much of it in case it didn't happen but thankfully it did. You always hope if you are doing well for one of the bigger clubs you will come into contention but this season there have been a lot of players doing well outside of the Old Firm.

There have been discussions for the past couple of months. Hopefully, it will get sorted out pretty quickly.

There seems to be a regular flow of younger forwards into the national side. With Lee Miller and Derek Riordan having been in and Garry O'Connor and Craig there just now, the competition for a couple of places could involve about six players. We all want to be there.

It's a big boost because there was some uncertainty within himself. I don't know his family situation but to have him back for next year is massive.

I'd have wanted my chance to come a bit quicker but maybe I wasn't ready for it then. The new manager told me to be patient at the start of the season and that's probably not one of my virtues. You don't want to be a sub. It took a few weeks and a few suspensions but I've got a chance now.