Shaun Maloney once described playing for Roberto Martinez as turning on a light in his brain.
A lightbulb moment which flicked the switch on a love for football’s tactics, systems and finer details.
A few years down the line that passion for the beautiful game would lead to an unlikely yet highly successful coaching relationship between the Spaniard and Scot which now sees Belgium hoping to conquer Europe.
But it’s the words of Martinez, who holds the former Celtic and Scotland star in the highest of regards, which should resonate with Hoops fans as they ponder the possibility of Maloney returning to Paradise.
That aforementioned brain is “elite” according to the Red Devils boss.
More importantly he insists it can take Maloney wherever he chooses in his football career. Once he’s done with Belgium of course.
Record Sport exclusively revealed on Tuesday how Maloney was being lined up by Parkhead chiefs for a strategic role in Celtic’s summer rebuild.
Fronted up by Ange Postecoglou, Celtic chiefs hope the lure of a return to the club where it all started for Maloney over two decades ago will be too strong for the 38-year-old to refuse.
Martinez - himself being linked with a move to Barcelona this summer - always knew this day would come for his trusted right hand man.
It’s just a matter of when rather than if.
“Shaun’s coaching career will take him wherever he chooses to go and he could also one day be a manager in his own right,” he said at the start of the qualifying campaign for the Euros extravaganza now just a matter of days away.
“Shaun has a great mind for detail. He’s very natural on the training ground and has a kind feeling for all the players.
“Over the course of his career, he has developed an incredible understanding of how a footballer’s brain goes through different situations.
“He understands what it’s like to go away from your comfort zone and perform in international football. That was always a big enjoyment.
“He brings a lot to the staff with Belgium and he’s enjoying his role with us. He’s someone I really admire in terms of his intelligence and the way he goes about it.”
Maloney was part of the SFA’s intake last year on the latest UEFA Pro Licence course.
He’s under contract with the Belgian FA until next summer. But with Martinez heavily linked to the Barcelona job then it could see Maloney moving on too.
Whether the role Celtic hope will tempt him back to the east end of Glasgow this summer will be alongside Postecoglou at Lennoxtown or behind the scenes at Parkhead is as yet unknown.
But initial discussions have already been held between Maloney and outgoing chief executive Peter Lawwell.
And it would be hard to imagine the winger, who made over 200 appearances in the Hoops, wouldn’t have a hand in overseeing a coaching revolution at both top team and academy levels.
Not with the levels of expertise he’s accumulated over his career to date.
Martinez said: “When we started working together at Wigan, I realised Shaun was a deep thinker.
“He had incredibly high standards and was someone who was ready to mature.
“Moving to Aston Villa opened up his mentality and from that point on you could see he had an elite brain.
“He’s a very important coach who can help any young player because he has real dedication.
“His passion for the game is fantastic. He was born with that passion for playing and the best thing after you stop playing is to coach.”
Maloney himself refused to rule out a return to Celtic Park when asked that very question back in February following Neil Lennon’s exit.
He said: “It’s an impossible question for me to answer.
“From a sporting point of view, I hope Celtic, whatever decision they make, make it quickly because these decisions have to be made.
“They can definitely fight for the title again next year. And the big thing they have to do is get that connection with the support again because if that’s not here, then they’re not going to be able to fight.”
A return to the club for Maloney this summer would certainly go some way towards reconnecting the club and it’s fanbase after the dramatic disconnect of the last 10 or so months.
A student of the game, young, hungry and with an undeniable attachment to the Hoops, Maloney has much to offer after years of dipping into the wisdom of the the likes of Martin O’Neill, Steve Bruce and his current boss.
Speaking two years ago Maloney said of Martinez: ”When I worked with Roberto as a player, it was like a light coming on.
“I knew there was a way of playing that other teams had. Now I had a manager who wanted to play that way.”
That’s the impact of a top operator. And that’s the kind of influence Maloney will now be able to impart on anyone willing to listen.
Whether that is at Celtic Park next season remains to be seen.
