Maloney returns to where it all started as he plots a Hibs recovery
THE day was April 29, 2001 and a little-known teenager was handed an Old Firm baptism of fire at Ibrox. Thrown in at the deep end on his professional debut, little was expected of Shaun Maloney. But the 18-year-old excelled in his substitute appearance during a famous 3-0 victory over Rangers. However, tonight, as the former Scotland international walks out at Ibrox for the first time as a manager, he does so amid the harsh glare of an unforgiving spotlight. Just eight games into his Hibs reign, the Easter Road club’s fans are already judging him harshly with his side having failed to find the net in four of their past five league matches.
Asked how he is coping with such a tough start to management, the 39-year-old simply shrugs and requests the pressure to be heaped squarely on his shoulders and not those of his players. ‘I’m good,’ said Maloney. ‘I share the disappointment of the results, of course. ‘I would love to win every game but I also knew when I took over there would be really positive moments and there would be bumps on the road. ‘When I took over we were seventh in the table with one win in nine. ‘I understood there was a lot of work to be done and I understood it was not going to be fixed in two games or whatever. But I’m absolutely fine. Any of the pressure, I’m more than happy to take. ‘I would much rather it came on me than on my players but I’m good. I’m clear on what is needed. ‘In my playing career, the debut (at Ibrox) when I was 18 was a really special moment. Hopefully we have another one tonight.’ Maloney’s last job was as assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez. It is a post that left him fully aware of the talents of Wales star Aaron Ramsey. Rangers’ shock January signing on loan from Juventus will start on the bench this evening but Maloney knows acutely the threat Ramsey will pose when he enters the field. ‘He’s a really top midfielder when he is at his best,’ said the Hibs manager. ‘I had to prepare and analyse for playing against him with Belgium because he’s a big threat with those late runs into the box. ‘He’s got a really good sense of being in the right place. He’s got many attributes that I’m sure he will bring to Rangers over the next few months. If he plays tomorrow, he will be a big, big threat.’ Hibs wing-back Chris Cadden insists he is loving life under Maloney. He believes it is only a matter of time before the hard work on the training ground under Jack Ross’s successor bears fruit. He said: ‘Ever since day one the gaffer has come in and we have all bought into what he is doing. I think his style and system
really suits us as well. It is going to come. We are now just waiting for that moment. ‘One day it is all going to click. We are going to be clinical and find the back of the net. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.’ Games between Rangers and Hibs have been fiery affairs in recent years since the Ibrox side beat their Edinburgh rivals to the Championship title in 2016 but lost the Scottish Cup final to Alan Stubbs’ side. Hibs are looking to get their first win at Ibrox since February 2018. They did manage to beat Rangers at Hampden in the League Cup semi-final back in November, but all three goals came from Martin Boyle, who has since left for Saudi Arabian side Al-Faisaly in a £2.5million move. ‘Boyler was a big player for us,’ nodded Cadden. ‘He’s got his move, which is well deserved for him. But it’s now next-man-up for us. ‘We’ve got quality in this squad. There’s competition for places and real attacking threats so I’m sure the boys will step forward. ‘I’d say there has been (a feisty edge to the games against Rangers). ‘Since I’ve come to Hibs, there have been big games where we have beaten Rangers. That does create a bit of an edge. ‘It’s probably also just the way the recent history between the clubs has gone that has caused that. ‘But we’re going to go to Ibrox tonight, enjoy the atmosphere and the occasion — and try to get a result.’