Hibs are gambling on Shaun Maloney its up to him to deliver results, says Kris Boyd… – The Scottish Sun

SHAUN MALONEY is a quiet man of Scottish football.

Time will tell if hes ready to make a big noise at Hibs.

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Shaun was my Scotland team-mate and he was an unbelievable player. Ive always had a lot of time for him. Hes a quiet guy and a deep thinker.

We were on Sky Sports duty together at Tannadice recently and he speaks well about the game.

Hes not the loud type but as a manager sometimes that can help because when you do speak it has more impact.

Shaun is articulate, he has good ideas on football and is leaving a top job as Belgium assistant.

But there is no doubt this is a gamble by Hibs owner Ron Gordon.

The American is taking a calculated risk in going for Shaun and clearly feels he will benefit the club.

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Now its over to the new man to deliver results in his first job as a manager.

But this is a completely different challenge to what Shaun has faced in his coaching career so far.

For the record, I didnt agree with the sacking of Jack Ross. I felt it was the WRONG decision.

Yet thats football and Hibs have handed Shaun a great opportunity for his first gig. Easter Road owner Gordon will soon find out if hes ready for it.

Shaun has been working under Roberto Martinez with Belgium and Im sure hes learned a lot.

But the squad hes about to inherit at Hibs is a lot different to the one hes been helping to coach.

Shaun wont need anyone to tell him that. This is a big job and Hibs have underachieved in the league so far this season.

They also have the potential to challenge for European places.

Too many poor results cost Jack his job and now Shaun has to find a way to change that.

He will need to rely heavily on the coaches around him and it looks like Gary Caldwell will be his No2.

They know each other well and that makes sense, although I always feel ex-bosses still have that niggle to be No1.

Craig Samson and David Gray can also support him as coaches, but Shaun will want to be his own man.

He will have clear ideas on how he wants to approach this job but he will also need backing from above.

There is a transfer window coming up and, given Hibs league results recently, they need new blood.

Im sure he has assurances that there is room to freshen up the squad because that is required.

What does intrigue me, though, is the trend of the American-owned Scottish clubs making similar managerial appointments.

Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United and Hibs they all now have young coaches who are starting out in management.

Stephen Glass, James McPake, Tam Courts and now Shaun have been drafted in by US owners.

Im not saying this is right or wrong, but if I was an experienced Scottish manager these days Id be more than a tad worried.

Is the door closed to them now? If it is, I dont know why.

All of these four clubs have gone down the road of appointing an inexperienced boss.

I feel for the older managers as plenty of them still have a lot to offer at that level.

On the flip side, its good to see younger guys get a chance, although I do wonder if its a control thing by those behind the scenes.

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I suspect that is the case at Dundee United, but who knows with the other owners.

One man I didnt expect to be in full control at Hampden is caretaker Gray.

He will be leading the team out at Hampden and many of his own fans will fancy their chances.

Celtic have a lot of injuries and I can see why Hibs supporters will feel the cup is there to be won.

But I still feel they will have to be at the very top of their game to come away with the trophy.

They will have to reach the levels they did against Rangers in the semi-final, no matter how many injuries Celtic have.

Credit to Ange Postecoglous side. Despite losing so many forwards they have found a way to win games.

Yes, they are weaker without Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi and James Forrest.

But Celtic have kept winning and there is no doubt we have a title race on our hands this season.

Injuries aside, Postecoglous team are in a good place right now and I always feel the first trophy is a chance to put down a marker.

If Celtic can grind out another win, it would be a huge boost so early in his reign.

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Hibs are gambling on Shaun Maloney its up to him to deliver results, says Kris Boyd... - The Scottish Sun