Full Media Conference: Shaun Maloney — Celtic v Celta Vigo (21/10/26)

[0:00] Sean, are you just checking on the squad for tomorrow? Cameron Carter-Vickers is back training. [0:05] Is he going to make it too early for Alistair Johnson? What's the update? [0:09] Yeah, those two guys. Alistair's been back training a little bit longer. [0:15] Cameron just started this week, but both won't make tomorrow. [0:19] But they should, if it goes well, the next couple of days be available for the squad on Sunday. [0:23] Everyone else fitting available? In fact, no Austin trustee at training, is that right? [0:27] Yeah, Austin's got a sort of private matter, so he won't make tomorrow. [0:33] Sorensen was pretty similar actually, but he's back in the country today, so he'll be in the squad tomorrow. [0:39] How helpful is it to arrive into this one on the back of what you achieved at the weekend? [0:43] Yeah, no, it massively helps. When you have that sort of result, it obviously brings the confidence to the players, [0:52] some individual and obviously the team. [0:54] I'd say probably the week that we've had coming back has been pretty positive. [0:58] It was a really difficult game in Benfica, but actually the second half sort of led into the Hearts game [1:06] because it was a really difficult period that first 30 minutes. [1:10] But actually what the guys showed in trying to go toe-to-toe with Benfica in that second half [1:16] sort of led us to the game against Hearts and probably even further back with the Motherwell performance as well. [1:21] So it's okay at the moment, yeah. [1:25] Quite often the challenge domestically is so different, sometimes in level, sometimes tactically as well. [1:31] But are there things you could take from the weekend that you think will translate into tomorrow? [1:36] Probably not tactically, just it's going to be a very different game. [1:42] I think it sounds really simple, but some of the basics that we did. [1:46] So we had to outrun Hearts in certain areas that we did. [1:52] 50-50s, we came out on our side in that game. [1:57] I think there's some fundamental things about a game of football that we got right in that game. [2:02] We got right in the second half of Benfica. [2:04] Those sorts of things are probably the challenges we've had since the start of the season [2:08] is when we're really committed without the ball as a team. [2:13] With the ball, we can be really creative. [2:16] We just need to have the same level without the ball consistently. [2:19] And against Hearts we did. [2:21] We'll definitely need that tomorrow night, yeah. [2:23] How much did the Hearts performance also show you the options you have up front [2:28] and the flexibility you have up front? [2:31] Yourself and Martin, that must give you a lot of positive sin for thought. [2:35] Yeah, it does. [2:37] I think we're... [2:39] Obviously with Callum, I know he was doing the media before us, [2:41] so he's a player in a slightly different position than what he's been at [2:45] the last... [2:46] Pretty much the last 12 months since we've had him. [2:49] That's been a really big positive. [2:51] I think when we've had Yang out for a period, [2:53] he gave us something really specific in that wide area. [2:57] I think we're hoping Callum can replicate that. [2:59] And then the other guys, yeah, it's just like Hassan trying to... [3:04] Trying to get him into the way that we play [3:06] without stopping what he's really, really good at. [3:10] Yeah, the attacking options are good. [3:11] I think even with the guys that came off the bench, [3:14] they showed that we have got really good attacking options. [3:18] We have to just be at the same level without the ball consistently. [3:22] When we do that, we can be a really, really decent side. [3:26] Just in terms of the overall result and the picture of the result, [3:30] you know, a lot of people talk about... [3:32] Martin especially, it's only three points and there's still a long way to go. [3:36] But it must have felt like a pretty seismic result [3:40] for everything that you'd gone through in the last few weeks and months [3:43] to be able to produce that against a team that took you so far last season. [3:48] Did it feel like that? [3:51] Maybe from a... [3:53] You'd probably have to ask the players in terms of from their view. [3:56] From a coaching staff, probably not. [3:59] I think the Motherwell game coming straight back, [4:03] I think everyone got back a couple of days before that game [4:06] to produce that performance against... [4:08] because Motherwell make it quite tough in trying to control the ball. [4:14] I think... [4:16] No, I didn't feel that seismic heart. [4:18] I know it was a really good performance. [4:21] Some of the attacking stuff was really good. [4:24] It doesn't feel like that sort of like that big moment. [4:27] I feel like it's just a continuation of that week. [4:30] We've got a fair bit to work on and continue to work on. [4:34] So it didn't feel like that for me. [4:36] Maybe the guys or the players might have felt differently. [4:40] But for us, it was good. [4:43] Everyone was committed with and without the ball. [4:45] So that was probably what we took from it as a staff, [4:50] or the coaches anyway. [4:51] And just where you sit on the European stage, [4:54] obviously not the start you'd have wanted, [4:57] does this feel like a must-win game, [4:59] especially at home, [5:01] with the games you've got coming up and what's happened before? [5:05] Close to it. [5:08] I think we showed last year that we can win away from home [5:11] with the Feyenoord, even the Stuttgart game. [5:16] Bologna, we were pretty good until the sending off. [5:19] So we can definitely win away. [5:21] I think it's getting that way, yeah. [5:25] It's getting close, which is... [5:26] We're really early into it, [5:28] but our home form is probably going to dictate [5:30] whether we go through or not. [5:32] I know we can win away from home, [5:34] but yeah, the home games are really big. [5:36] I think probably what we want to see as staff, [5:39] the boss might be different, [5:40] but we want to see a continuation of what we saw at Motherwell, [5:45] periods against Benfica, [5:46] and then obviously Hearts. [5:48] I think if we can get a really committed team [5:51] with and without the ball, [5:53] then we can definitely win this game. [5:56] If we don't, [5:57] then Celtic are a good side. [5:59] They can definitely hurt you. [6:00] So we need both sides, [6:02] and I really just want to see us continue on [6:05] from the last seven to ten days on that. [6:08] Sean, I think, correct me if I'm wrong, [6:09] I think this is the first match [6:11] that will be boycotted by the Green Brigade. [6:14] Does that, [6:16] the impact that may have on the atmosphere [6:17] and on players' performance, [6:19] does that concern you at all? [6:22] Look, I think from when we stepped in, [6:25] all of us came in here a year ago [6:27] to then sort of feel and see [6:30] how the stadium was [6:32] in those sort of last few weeks [6:33] of the last season [6:34] when everyone was together. [6:36] I think all of us, [6:37] fans, staff, everyone, [6:39] we're desperate to get that all the time. [6:45] It's really difficult [6:46] to sort of comment too much on that, [6:49] but if we could get to that place again, [6:51] then it would be amazing. [6:52] I think the atmosphere against Hearts [6:53] was really good. [6:54] I think the travel and support [6:55] in both Motherwell and Benfica [6:57] was the same, [6:57] and the difference it makes [6:59] is it's huge for the players [7:01] and the staff. [7:02] So I'm not sure how we get there. [7:05] I think that's for the key people, [7:06] not me, [7:07] but I think we're all desperate [7:08] to get to a point [7:09] that we were at [7:10] in the last two, three weeks [7:11] of the last season [7:11] because when the atmosphere [7:14] and the stadium's like that, [7:16] it's a difficult place [7:17] to come and play [7:17] and it just drives the players on. [7:20] So yeah, it's a tough time again. [7:23] Hopefully that can get resolved, [7:24] but it will be more senior people [7:27] than me that will do that. [7:28] But do you think a win tomorrow [7:30] and a good performance [7:30] could maybe speed up [7:32] that process somehow? [7:35] I hope so. [7:36] I'm not sure. [7:37] Yeah, we had an amazing result [7:39] in the last game. [7:41] The atmosphere in the stadium [7:42] was really good [7:44] and we need it [7:47] because we've obviously [7:48] got challenges within the team [7:50] trying to improve certain areas [7:51] and when the fans are [7:53] like they were against Hearts, [7:54] it makes such a huge difference. [7:55] So I'm not sure [7:58] the result of a game [7:59] will change that side of things. [8:04] But yeah, we'll still have [8:05] a really big crowd [8:06] but it's a really tough time. [8:08] It's difficult to kind of [8:10] talk about it. [8:11] Do you think it would be [8:11] difficult to impose [8:13] your playing style [8:14] and your tempo [8:15] on Celta Vigo tomorrow? [8:17] Yeah, I do, yeah. [8:19] I think they're a really good side. [8:20] Really aggressive [8:20] without the ball. [8:22] Really expansive [8:23] in the way that they play. [8:25] So yeah, it will be tough. [8:29] We've shown we can do it. [8:30] Benfica were a brilliant side. [8:32] That game at 3-1 [8:34] there was moments [8:35] that we could have [8:36] made that game [8:37] very, very tight. [8:39] So yeah, we've shown [8:40] we can do it [8:40] and yeah, we can definitely [8:43] hurt them with the ball. [8:45] And if we're not at our best [8:46] Celtic can do [8:47] exactly the same to us. [8:48] So yeah, really tough game [8:49] but it's a great game. [8:51] Dane Murray's now had [8:52] three consecutive starts. [8:54] I know he's 23 now [8:55] but he's not played [8:56] a lot of football [8:56] due to the injuries. [8:57] He's maybe had [8:58] some tough moments as well [8:59] in his time at Celtic. [9:01] Do you feel if he now [9:02] gets a run of games [9:04] he can really show [9:04] what he's capable of [9:06] at this football club? [9:08] Yeah, he's obviously [9:09] like you say, [9:10] he's missed a lot [9:10] through a cutler knee injury [9:12] so yeah, really talented guy. [9:15] He's also came through [9:17] some really difficult moments [9:18] when he has played [9:20] for the first team [9:20] but yeah, he's playing [9:22] well at the moment [9:23] and he has to [9:24] because obviously [9:25] Cameron's coming back [9:26] and Austin at some point [9:28] will be back [9:28] fighting for a position [9:31] as well [9:31] so he has to [9:32] I think that's the life [9:33] of a Celtic player [9:34] but it's really [9:35] really positive for him [9:36] when you have him [9:37] and Colby on that right side [9:38] they're really good [9:40] against starts [9:40] so yeah [9:43] so if he's in the team [9:45] tomorrow [9:45] then he has to keep [9:46] performing at that level [9:47] to keep his place. [9:49] How crucial can that [9:50] run of games that he's had [9:51] and potentially going forward [9:52] if he stays in the team [9:53] how crucial can that be [9:54] for his development [9:55] when we talk about [9:56] him missing a lot of football [9:57] playing those games [9:58] at the highest level [9:59] and consistently [10:00] playing games at the highest level [10:01] what can that do for him? [10:03] You hope that it brings [10:04] a consistency to his performance [10:05] he's been really [10:06] really good [10:06] he's had certain moments [10:07] where [10:08] he's found it harder in games [10:10] but I think the more games [10:11] that you play [10:11] then you hope that [10:12] the level of performance [10:13] is pretty consistent [10:14] so I think that's what [10:15] that gives you [10:16] but it's tough [10:17] because he's got [10:17] Cameron coming back [10:20] for the weekend [10:21] but at the moment [10:23] Dane's got that jersey [10:25] and you don't want to give it up [10:26] so yeah [10:28] he has to keep performing [10:29] but he's playing pretty well [10:30] at the moment [10:30] Is it still a question [10:32] of trying to work out [10:33] the right midfield balance [10:34] for the European games? [10:35] We saw Oliver Sorensen [10:36] came in last week [10:38] Benjamin comes back in [10:39] for the weekend [10:40] obviously offers so much [10:41] in terms of output [10:43] is it tough to work out [10:44] exactly what the right [10:46] midfield make-up [10:47] needs to be [10:47] for these big European matches? [10:50] Yeah [10:50] but not so much [10:51] the individuals [10:52] I'd say just [10:53] the structure [10:54] structure that we put them in [10:56] I think [10:56] I think that's [10:57] something we've been [10:58] sort of trying to figure out [11:00] all season [11:00] at times [11:02] we get it right [11:03] it looks really good [11:04] and then there's been [11:06] certain matches [11:06] away from home [11:08] in Europe [11:08] that it's looked harder [11:09] so yeah [11:11] we have to figure that out [11:12] and we have to [11:12] do that pretty quickly [11:14] into tomorrow [11:15] because [11:15] the way that Celtic play [11:17] really [11:17] really open midfield [11:19] so [11:20] we want to limit that [11:22] as much as we can [11:23] but yeah [11:24] we have to [11:24] it's not always on the midfield [11:26] I think [11:27] the players ahead of them [11:29] they have to be a part of that [11:31] so it's not just [11:32] midfield three [11:32] whether we play with [11:34] one six or two sixes [11:35] it's the guys in front of them [11:36] as well [11:36] that have a big [11:37] they have a big say [11:40] on how that looks [11:40] so [11:41] you've heard me say it [11:42] a few times [11:43] we have to be committed [11:44] everyone [11:44] when we do [11:46] we've shown we can [11:47] we can beat some pretty good sides [11:49] in Europe [11:50] Sean I wonder what the last month [11:52] or so has been like [11:53] for you [11:54] they're only a couple of weeks on [11:55] from Martin openly saying [11:56] he would go away [11:57] and think about [11:58] whether he would [11:59] the guy to take things on [12:00] what was that period like for you [12:02] being on the staff [12:03] and maybe what were those discussions like [12:05] it was fine [12:07] I think Martin [12:08] made a decision pretty quickly [12:10] and then started speaking [12:13] about how he wanted to improve the side [12:15] in games like tomorrow [12:17] in games like Benfica [12:20] in obviously big games [12:22] in domestic [12:22] how he saw the team [12:23] how he thought we could be better [12:24] that happened really quickly [12:26] so for us as staff [12:27] it was [12:27] it was fine [12:29] that was within a couple of days [12:30] and then it's our job [12:32] to kind of take his vision [12:33] of how he sees the team [12:35] and try and coach the team [12:37] in that vision [12:38] and pretty quickly [12:40] you have to get on with that [12:41] so [12:41] look it was a really tough week [12:43] before the international break [12:44] really difficult [12:45] so it probably came at [12:48] a really good time [12:48] for us to sort of reset [12:49] you could figure out [12:50] how the sort of [12:52] first nine or ten games [12:53] looked like [12:53] obviously there's some [12:54] things we had to [12:56] improve quickly [12:56] particularly without the ball [12:58] and we're still trying [12:59] to improve on those things [13:00] but with the boss [13:02] and things it was fine [13:03] it was a couple of days [13:03] and then straight to it [13:05] even if it was brief [13:07] those doubts [13:08] that he had [13:09] did you share those [13:10] doubts that things [13:12] were heading in the [13:12] right direction [13:13] not with the boss [13:15] or the staff [13:16] I just [13:16] look you have [13:18] three big defeats [13:19] in a week [13:19] I think you also [13:20] you have to bring [13:22] the Champions League [13:23] qualifier into that [13:24] I think there's some [13:24] things within the team [13:27] of how we perform [13:29] that we have to get better at [13:30] we have to get better [13:32] at them really really quickly [13:33] we have in the first week [13:36] back [13:36] but as the first half [13:38] of Benfica showed [13:39] we've still got a fair [13:39] bit of work to do [13:40] so look we're a really [13:41] good attacking side [13:42] I don't think that's an issue [13:43] I think it's the other [13:45] side of the game [13:46] we've improved [13:47] but we've still got a fair [13:47] bit of work to do [13:48] yeah that was pretty much [13:52] it was tough though [13:52] that week before [13:53] the national break [13:54] you lose to your biggest [13:55] rivals twice [13:56] and your first European game [13:58] it was tough [13:58] tough for everyone [13:59] just in terms of [14:01] Celta Vigo [14:01] it's another sort of [14:02] twist of fate for yourself [14:03] and Martin coming up [14:05] against a team that [14:05] you came up against [14:07] in 2002 [14:08] just your memories [14:09] of that time [14:10] and I think you [14:12] started at second leg [14:13] is that right? [14:14] no [14:14] no [14:15] no [14:15] no [14:16] no I remember [14:17] the second leg [14:18] I think [14:18] jeez [14:19] yeah [14:20] it feels like [14:21] a different lifetime [14:23] yeah it was [14:24] yeah [14:24] yeah [14:24] no actually [14:27] I haven't thought like that [14:28] yeah it was such a long time ago [14:30] so last year probably felt [14:32] when we played Stuttgart [14:35] felt a little bit closer [14:37] but no I haven't really thought [14:39] about Celta Vigo like that [14:40] yeah it's another one [14:43] that the boss played against [14:45] and I was a part of [14:46] so yeah [14:48] these are great games [14:50] really are [14:51] so yeah [14:52] this is what we're here for [14:53] and I'll try best to win it [14:55] yeah