Maloney praise for Hoops ace McGeady

Celtic 3, Falkirk 0

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CELTIC’S returning hero Shaun Maloney won the man-of-the-match award against Falkirk after an 18-month absence – and then pinpointed team-mate Aiden McGeady as a star Parkhead player.

Maloney left for Aston Villa in January 2007 but failed to settle with Martin O’Neill’s men.

The 25-year-old came on as a first-half substitute for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink after the Dutchman was left crumpled in a tackle by Lee Bullen.

The Scotland international almost made an instant impact, winning a free-kick from which Stephen McMANUS bundled home his 31st minute opener.

Former Aberdeen schoolboy Maloney, afforded a great reception from the Hoops faithful, set up Georgios SAMARAS for an easy second goal which effectively clinched the points before the interval.

Strachan’s side turned on the style after the break, with McGeady and Shunsuke Nakamura vying with Maloney for the top billing, but it was the former Villa player who cleverly set up SAMARAS for the Greek striker’s second goal.

But Maloney heaped praise on team-mate McGeady.

He said: “I knew how good Aiden was when I left, but he has improved an awful lot.

“He has pretty much everything now, the final delivery, the shot or pass, he has that end product to his game now.

“And he scares the life out of defenders when he runs at them.

“If the players make runs ahead of him then he will find them.

“The pace of the team as we are breaking is different especially with some of the attacking players we have here at the club.

Maloney’s return to Parkhead may have come at a vital time as Strachan could be without his first-choice strike force for next week’s Old Firm game.

Scott McDonald missed the visit of the Bairns, and Hesselink’s injury is still to be assessed.