Maloney is back to full fitness after an injury-plagued season

Midfielder Shaun Maloney says being a former team-mate of Neil Lennon will count for nothing should the Northern Irishman be made manager of Celtic.

Maloney is fit again after a seven-month lay-off, and says he will have to show that he merits being in the team.

"Neil's someone I have a lot of respect for, but I know I'll still have to prove to him I'm worth a place in his team," said Maloney

"I doubt I'll have a special advantage just because we were team-mates."

Lennon has been widely tipped to be made the club's next permanent manager after he took charge of the team following Tony Mowbray's departure in March and winning the final eight league games.

Another of Maloney's former team-mates, Alan Thompson, has left his coaching role at Newcastle also been linked with a return to Celtic Park.

And the Glasgow club have also contacted the Finland coach Stuart Baxter over the possibility of him becoming their director of football on a part-time basis.

Time needs to be taken to make sure we get the right person. I think the players can all understand that Shaun Maloney

"Alan played really well for us for six or seven years. He's another one as a player I have a lot of respect for. He did very well for this club," said Maloney.

"As for Stuart Baxter, I know the name, I know what he's done in different countries in Europe and so on.

"I'm not entirely sure what's happening. But I don't think I'm overly concerned about there being no one in the job right now.

"Time needs to be taken to make sure we get the right person. I think the players can all understand that.

"But if Lenny gets the job then I'm sure he'll have full trust in all his backroom staff."

Despite having played in the same team as Lennon and Thompson, Maloney maintains he would have no issues with working under them in the future.

"I would like to think I wouldn't have too much problem with that," said the Scotland international.

"As a player you get told if you're playing and how to play. And if you don't do what you're told then you don't play. It's as simple as that."

The 27-year-old had an injury-plagued season, first with tendonitis in his Achilles, then a series of other problems.

Now, he is fully focussed on getting back into the Celtic starting line-up.

"Last season was very frustrating having to watch from the sidelines," he said.

"Fingers crossed I can stay fit for a long time now and play as many games as i can next season.

"That's the only goal I've got at the moment."

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