Maloney closing in on new deal

Striker Shaun Maloney is set to sign a new deal with Celtic once terms on the “most important” contract of his career are ironed out, according to his agent Mel Stein.

The 23-year-old has become a first-team regular for the Hoops under Gordon Strachan, scoring 10 goals already this season.

Maloney is also on the verge of breaking into the Scotland international team after making his debut against Belarus in October, but his representative is confident a new contract will be signed shortly.

Stein told the Scottish Daily Mail: “I have had another meeting with Peter Lawwell and we have agreed to talk again at a later date. The door is not closed by any means.

“The good thing is Celtic really want Shaun to stay and he really wants to be at Celtic for the long term.

“But we are talking about a deal which could run to 2009 or 2010 and that’s by far the most important of his career so far.

“Nobody is putting ultimatums across the table and I’ve always had a good relationship with Celtic while representing Shaun and Craig Beattie.

“It is very amicable and, hopefully, we can reach a resolution on this.”