O'Neill plays down Maloney exit rumours
Monday, 27 August 2007 09:18Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has insisted homesick midfielder Shaun Maloney will not be rejoining Celtic before the transfer window closes on Friday.
Maloney scored Villa's winner against Fulham on Saturday but afterwards was non-committal about his future.
But O'Neill claimed the Scotland international was going nowhere even though he has started just five games since his #1million move from the Bhoys.
O'Neill said: 'Shaun is definitely a bit homesick and it's something the media in Scotland seem to pick up on on a daily basis.
'But I've spoken to Shaun and no-one is going anywhere. I want players into the club rather than going out. I know it's a difficult move when you move to another country but he's not the only one who has come down here.
'Stiliyan Petrov came down here along with some of my staff. We all have to move around.
'This is the first time that Shaun has really been away from home. But I do not envisage Shaun leaving. He has a future to play with us.'
O'Neill's main priority is bringing in new blood over the next five days after signing only Nigel Reo-Coker, Marlon Harewood and on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson since the end of last season.
He said: 'I am still hopeful and optimistic of bringing in players I initially targeted.'
