O'Neill open-minded on Maloney

Villa boss hints at letting unhappy players move on

Last updated: 20th August 2008

aston villa shaun maloney

Maloney: Linked with Celtic return

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Martin O'Neill is keeping an open mind regarding Shaun Maloney's future at Aston Villa.

Maloney has been linked with a return to Celtic after struggling to settle since joining Villa 18 months ago.

The Scotland international has started just 16 Premier League games for the Midlands club and has been tipped to rejoin Celtic before the transfer window closes.

Villa boss O'Neill is not looking to offload any members of his squad, but concedes he would not want to hang on to 'unhappy' players.

"I would prefer to keep players here," O'Neill told the Birmingham Mail.

"It is not that I want to keep every unhappy player. That has been my view, unless it has been so clear that they are not going to get a look-in.

"Interestingly, during the course of my time here that has not been the case with Shaun.

"For us at the moment, there might be an exit or two. But I would rather it was us trying to add to the squad."