Shaun Maloney closed the debate about his fitness with a dazzling 45 minute performance for Celtic's reserve side in the 4-0 win over Dundee United this afternoon.
Maloney hasn't completed 90 minutes since picking up a hamstring injury against Hearts on December 13.
Brief substitute appearances in the last two SPL fixtures against Aberdeen barely tested the 26-year-old but today's run out had Maloney back at his industrious best highlighted by a great solo goal in the 15th minute.
Playing behind Kevin Cawley in a role designed to give him as much of the ball as possible the former Aston Villa striker buzzed about around the park spraying passes and beating defenders without flinching from a single challenge.
It was Maloney that set up the first goal with a through ball to Ryan Conroy on the left whose cross was headed home by Mark Millar at the back post after 13 minutes.
Enjoying the space that he's unlikely to get in first team action Maloney wrong footed a couple of defenders two minutes later before drilling a low shot past former Celtic 'keeper Michael McGovern to put Celtic two up.
There's little chance of Maloney starting against Rangers on Sunday but with the game likely to be tight and dominated by four and five man midfields the option to introduce Maloney must be an appealing one for Gordon Strachan.
Maloney has the temperament and experience to handle the big occasion after making his Celtic debut at Ibrox in the 3-0 win at Ibrox in Martin O'Neill's first season made memorable by a double from Lubo Moravcik and Henrik Larsson's 50th goal of the season.
"Who's the wean?" supporters asked that day when Maloney appeared, hopefully the fully grown 'wean' will be able to make a telling contribution this time around.
As the reserves collected their eighth consecutive title the conveyor belt of talent coming through the ranks produced another name to look out for with James Forrest making a very accomplished debut.
Replacing Simon Ferry, who picked up a back injury, after half an hour, Forest looked quickly at ease demanding the ball and making telling runs off the right flank into the Dundee United penalty box.
Cawley had added a third goal before Forrest capped his reserve debut with a goal worth looking out for on Celtic TV.
Exchanging passes with Cawley, Forrest curled his shot around McGovern from just inside the penalty box to round off a useful day out before the SPL Reserve trophy was presented to the squad.
Celtic team: Kennedy; Doumbe, Marr, Misun, Kurakins; Miller (Vallers), Ferry (Forrest) Donati, Conroy; Maloney (McGlinchey), Cawley.
SUBS not used: Fairley, Gardner, Hughes, Tidser.
