Maloney out to right Celtic wrongs

14 July 2009 09:45
Strachan brought the 26-year-old back to Parkhead after 18 months away at Aston Villa last summer but the forward confessed he struggled for top form. The Scotland forward suffered with an ongoing hamstring problem towards the end of last season with Strachan even stating the problem was in the player's head. The campaign ended in frustration for the Hoops with Old Firm rivals Rangers beating them to the SPL title and Maloney, now fully recuperated, is focused on showing new boss Tony Mowbray his true form. "It was unfortunate for us the way the league unfolded last season," he told the Daily Record. "I felt I let the previous boss down. I gave it my all, but there were times with my hamstring injury at the end of last season when I wasn't contributing to the team." Maloney even confessed that perhaps Strachan had been right when he suggested the injury was more mental than physical. "It was an awkward injury and I could see his point," he added. "It wasn't even my worst injury and I've been out longer because of other things. "I got a week tear in it again which was disappointing. I just felt I couldn't contribute. "The previous manager had brought me back and I wanted to prove he was right to do that, but I didn't feel I could properly contribute for the last few months." The Hoops youth team graduate has now put his injury nightmare behind him and has his sights set on breaking into Mowbray's starting XI. "The manager has shown us the different formations he wants us to play and made it clear we shouldn't read too much into the team he played in Brisbane (Celtic beat Brisbane Roar 3-0)," he revealed. "But to get into his starting side no matter who is available will be a tough task and we'll get a better idea of what's happening when we play our first proper game in the Champions League qualifying."

Source: Team_Talk