Maloney says return to Celtic has been vindicated by Scotland recall

IF SHAUN Maloney had any lingering reservations about his desire to quit Aston Villa last month and return to Celtic, they evaporated on the day George Burley named the Scotland squad for the friendly match against Northern Ireland.

Having been named in Burley's first two selections earlier this year, his omission from the final warm-up fixture ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign provided all the confirmation Maloney required that coming back to Glasgow was necessary both for his club and international career.

The 25-year-old hopes to win his 12th Scotland cap against Macedonia in Skopje tomorrow having earned an instant recall to the squad from Burley in the wake of his £1million move to the SPL champions.

"As long as I wasn't playing regularly for Villa, I knew I was going to be dropped by Scotland at some stage," said Maloney.

"When it finally happened, it hurried up the whole process in my mind that I needed first-team football in order to get into the Scotland squad. It was a big factor for me because playing for Scotland is a massive thing as far as I'm concerned.

"For the manager's first game in charge against Croatia, I was in the starting line-up even though I wasn't playing too often for Villa. My confidence was pretty low, so it was a big boost for him to start me in that game. To be honest, though, I didn't do myself justice that night. From that moment on, I realised I had to be playing regular first-team football at club level.

"I couldn't have any arguments with it when he did leave me out of the squad for the Northern Ireland game. He had every right to do it. I'd be pretty angry if I wasn't getting into the squad ahead of someone who wasn't playing every week.

"It was a nice surprise to get back into the squad so quickly after coming back to Celtic.

"I'm sure I've done the right thing and I'm happy with the way I've fitted back into the team. The first week against Falkirk was great, the second week against Rangers not so great, but I'm delighted the move went through.

"That intensity is there every week with the Old Firm and I enjoy it. You are only ever one bad result away from criticism and I don't have a problem with that. I honestly missed it when I was at Villa."

That level of scrutiny is sure to apply to Scotland if they fail to make a positive opening to their World Cup qualifying campaign and Maloney recognises the need to try and make early capital from the trip to Macedonia this weekend and subsequent visit to Iceland next midweek.

"We need to get off to a good start," he agreed. "The manager has stated a target of 17 points and we are looking to get a few of them from the next two games. Ideally, we would like to get six points but every away international is difficult and I don't think getting three or four points would be the end of the world.

"The World Cup in 2010 still seems quite far off at the moment, but I would imagine it would be an amazing experience. We all watch these big tournaments every second summer and you just get so focused on it for that month. It would be just amazing to be part of it.

"People who have played at major tournaments say it was the highlight of their career. There are a lot of us in this squad who want to get there and see what it is like for ourselves. It is massive and you know what the fans would be like if we managed to get there. We are desperate to do it.

"I've often heard Barry Ferguson talking about how much it would mean to him and it's something at the forefront of everyone's mind in this squad. We are always being reminded that Scotland haven't been to a finals since 1998. This campaign gives us the chance to rectify it.

"I remember watching the 1998 finals on television. I was still at school then. Ronaldo was the big thing at the time and I can remember John Collins scoring against Brazil in the opening game.

"I think people had become accustomed to Scotland being there in the big tournaments. I don't know if it was taken for granted, but you just thought they would continue to make it. Unfortunately it's been a while now since it has happened and now it's down to this squad to change it."