Smith plays down Maloney reports

Rangers boss Walter Smith has played down reports linking him with a move for Celtic forward Shaun Maloney.

The 24-year-old’s contract expires in the summer and negotiations with Celtic have yet to reach a fruitful conclusion.

However much Smith admires Maloney, he admits it would be a tricky move to engineer.

Smith told The Herald: “There has been no contact between myself and (Celtic manager) Gordon Strachan, the player or his agent. So although I do rate Shaun, any such more would be fraught with difficulties.”