SHAUN MALONEY is a quiet man of Scottish football.<\/p>\n
Time will tell if hes ready to make a big noise at Hibs.<\/p>\n
2<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
We were on Sky Sports duty together at Tannadice recently and he speaks well about the game.<\/p>\n
Hes not the loud type but as a manager sometimes that can help because when you do speak it has more impact.<\/p>\n
Shaun is articulate, he has good ideas on football and is leaving a top job as Belgium assistant.<\/p>\n
But there is no doubt this is a gamble by Hibs owner Ron Gordon.<\/p>\n
The American is taking a calculated risk in going for Shaun and clearly feels he will benefit the club.<\/p>\n
Read our transfer news live blog for all the very latest at your club <\/p>\n
Now its over to the new man to deliver results in his first job as a manager.<\/p>\n
But this is a completely different challenge to what Shaun has faced in his coaching career so far.<\/p>\n
For the record, I didnt agree with the sacking of Jack Ross. I felt it was the WRONG decision.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Shaun has been working under Roberto Martinez with Belgium and Im sure hes learned a lot.<\/p>\n
But the squad hes about to inherit at Hibs is a lot different to the one hes been helping to coach.<\/p>\n
Shaun wont need anyone to tell him that. This is a big job and Hibs have underachieved in the league so far this season.<\/p>\n
They also have the potential to challenge for European places.<\/p>\n
Too many poor results cost Jack his job and now Shaun has to find a way to change that.<\/p>\n
He will need to rely heavily on the coaches around him and it looks like Gary Caldwell will be his No2.<\/p>\n
They know each other well and that makes sense, although I always feel ex-bosses still have that niggle to be No1.<\/p>\n
Craig Samson and David Gray can also support him as coaches, but Shaun will want to be his own man.<\/p>\n
He will have clear ideas on how he wants to approach this job but he will also need backing from above.<\/p>\n
There is a transfer window coming up and, given Hibs league results recently, they need new blood.<\/p>\n
Im sure he has assurances that there is room to freshen up the squad because that is required.<\/p>\n
What does intrigue me, though, is the trend of the American-owned Scottish clubs making similar managerial appointments.<\/p>\n
Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United and Hibs they all now have young coaches who are starting out in management.<\/p>\n
Stephen Glass, James McPake, Tam Courts and now Shaun have been drafted in by US owners.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Is the door closed to them now? If it is, I dont know why.<\/p>\n
All of these four clubs have gone down the road of appointing an inexperienced boss.<\/p>\n
I feel for the older managers as plenty of them still have a lot to offer at that level.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
BETTING SPECIAL - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS AND FREE BETS<\/p>\n
I suspect that is the case at Dundee United, but who knows with the other owners.<\/p>\n
One man I didnt expect to be in full control at Hampden is caretaker Gray.<\/p>\n
He will be leading the team out at Hampden and many of his own fans will fancy their chances.<\/p>\n
Celtic have a lot of injuries and I can see why Hibs supporters will feel the cup is there to be won.<\/p>\n
But I still feel they will have to be at the very top of their game to come away with the trophy.<\/p>\n
They will have to reach the levels they did against Rangers in the semi-final, no matter how many injuries Celtic have.<\/p>\n
Credit to Ange Postecoglous side. Despite losing so many forwards they have found a way to win games.<\/p>\n
Yes, they are weaker without Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi and James Forrest.<\/p>\n
But Celtic have kept winning and there is no doubt we have a title race on our hands this season.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
If Celtic can grind out another win, it would be a huge boost so early in his reign.<\/p>\n
2<\/p>\n
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
More here:<\/p>\n
Hibs are gambling on Shaun Maloney its up to him to deliver results, says Kris Boyd... - The Scottish Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SHAUN MALONEY is a quiet man of Scottish football. Time will tell if hes ready to make a big noise at Hibs Continue reading