Maloney back at Parkhead

Shaun Maloney has rejoined Celtic on a four-year contract from Aston Villa

Shaun Maloney has rejoined Celtic on a four-year contract from Aston Villa. The 25-year-old made his Celtic debut in April 2001 but left for Villa Park in January 2007 for a €1.25 million fee after failing to agree new terms with the Scottish champions.

Maloney has returned north for a fee which could rise to €3 million, according to the Aston Villa website.

Maloney's return to Parkhead ends months of speculation about his future after he had failed to settle in the midlands under his former Hoops boss Martin O'Neill.

In his first spell at Celtic, the Scotland international made 138 appearances for the club, scoring 37 goals.

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Team-mate Paul Hartley believes Maloney will have no problem settling back into life in Glasgow.

He said: "It's a good move for him and a good move for the club. We are always looking to improve and he is another good player. We have a good squad as it is now and we know Shaun can play in a number of positions.

"He had a good spell at Celtic the first time so I'm sure he will do well again."

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc, meanwhile, has been axed from the Poland national team after allegedly breaking a curfew following a friendly in Ukraine.

Boruc, 28, and national team-mates Dariusz Dudka and Radolav Majewski have been accused of leaving the team hotel to have a night out with Polish journalists on Wednesday.

National team coach Leo Beenhakker has now banned the trio indefinitely ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign following the incident in Lvov.

Polish Football Federation boss Michal Listkiewicz told the Scottish Daily Mail: "After Wednesday's game, three players checked out of the team's Opera Hotel and moved to the Grand Hotel — even though it was forbidden to do so."

Reports suggest a party in the hotel ended with extensive damage to one of the rooms.

Listkiewicz added: "Luckily, our sources confirm that it wasn't our players responsible for the damage. But these players are now out of the national team.

"I don't think they can be called up for the games against Slovenia and San Marino. They could end up with a financial penalty."