‘Magnificent’ Maloney would boost Dons, says Snodgrass

ROBERT SNODGRASS believes Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes will have pulled off a significant coup if he tempts Shaun Maloney north. Maloney (left) is out of contract with Hull City this summer and has been strongly linked with a move to his home city, while former Celtic team-mate Neil Lennon is also rumoured to have an interest in taking him to newly-promoted Hibs.

Snodgrass played alongside the 34-year-old at Hull before transferring to West Ham in January and believes whoever signs his Scotland team-mate will be getting a player still capable of performing with the best.

‘If Shaun was to come back to Scotland to play he’s got a few years left to make an impression,’ he said. ‘He was still the best player in training when I was at Hull. He was so sharp.

‘He’s playing with young whippersnappers but he’s still got it. If you’ve got a chance to get him, then do it. He’s magnificent.’

Maloney has been capped 47 times by Scotland but has not featured for Gordon Strachan since the friendly defeat to France last summer after reverting to a substitute role for most of the English season.

Snodgrass believes Maloney already has one eye on a career in coaching and reckons he would be a major influence on and off the field for any new club.

‘Shaun is the type of lad who wants to train every day and wants to play. I didn’t realise his hunger for the game until I played with him,’ he said.

‘He’s a great lad to have about the place, such a good professional. You can see why he’s still playing in the Premier League at this age.

‘He’s always been destined for management or coaching. Whoever gets him is inheriting a little gem because he’s unbelievable the way he calls games.’