Shaun Maloney: Talentspotter

Full nameShaun Richard Maloney.

Born24/1/83, in Malaysia but I was raised in Aberdeen.

NicknameThey call me Pan – apparently it’s after some player who played in the ’80s for Newcastle but I’m not really sure about that.

Club supportedAlthough I grew up in Aberdeen I’ve always been a Celtic supporter. I didn’t get too hard a time. The Celtic-Rangers thing isn’t really that big in Aberdeen; there’s more of an Aberdeen-Rangers rivalry.

Clubs played forI signed for Celtic on an ‘S’ and worked my way up from the Under-13s.

International honoursThree Scotland Under-21 caps so far.

CardsOne yellow card. I got it for diving at Pittodrie, of all places. I thought it was maybe 50/50.

PositionStriker. I don’t mind whether I’m playing as an out-and-out striker or behind the front two – wherever the manager wants me.

StrengthsProbably my pace at this stage.

WeaknessesMy height, or lack of it. I’m not the tallest of strikers.

Who do you play most like?I would never say I’m anywhere near as good as him, but Michael Owen is also small and quick. If there’s anyone I model my game on, it would be him. He’s worked hard on his game over the past couple of years to add to his natural pace and he’s a good role model for young players.

HeroesI play with most of mine. If I singled anyone out I’d have to say Henrik Larsson. He’s great in the air, quick and strong – the complete player.

Career highlightsWhen I made my debut in the Old Firm game against Rangers last season. I came on as a substitute. We won the match and Lubo Moravcik was frightening in that game – he scored two unbelievable goals.

Career lowlightsThe way things have been going at Celtic since I made my debut, there haven’t really been any lows – touch wood.

Best adviceGeorge Adams was Celtic’s youth development officer in the north-east, and the man who had a big say in whether or not Celtic signed me. He basically told me to work hard and be ready to take my chance when it came. That’s what I did and it seems to have worked.

Biggest influenceI’d have to say my parents. There were times when I thought I might not make it, or when I had a bad game when I was younger, but they were always there to keep me going – my mother, especially – so credit where it’s due.

TransportPeugeot 206.

TunesI’ll listen to anything in the charts. The car radio’s always on but I’ve got no favourites.

HobbiesThe old game of golf, and I like to play tennis when I get the chance. But in the winter you get so many games and the schedule is so hectic that you don’t really have the time.

Atomic Kitten or Destiny’s Child?Destiny’s Child.

CorrieorEastEnders?EastEnders, definitely.

Austin Powers or James Bond?What kind of question is that? [Laughs] I’ll go for Austin Powers – not that I’m a party animal but I’m definitely not a James Bond type.

In five years’ time I’ll be…Hopefully still at Celtic, hopefully a first-team regular, and hopefully with full international honours.

If I wasn’t playing football…I’d have gone to college or university, I think. I was very interested in history at school. Obviously I played sport as well, but if I could have done anything with history I would have done that. It could still happen, but hopefully it doesn’t.