Make a bid for Villa's Maloney or shut up: agent tells Celtic

The 24-year-old is expected to return to his first club come the January transfer window.

An admission from manager Gordon Strachan at the club's agm that he viewed the attacker as 'unfinished business' before his departure for Aston Villa almost a year ago only served to stoke the fire further.

Maloney's agent John Halliwell has, however, dubbed the latest reports 'mischievous', while insisting that there would be no lack of Premiership competition for the Scottish champions to overcome in the event of a bid.

An unpopular figure at Parkhead following his handling of Maloney's controversial exit for a £22,000-a-week pay cheque in the Midlands, Halliwell knows Celtic would be reluctant to deal with him again.

"It's a bit mischievous when people keep saying these things," he told Sportsmail.

"I don't know the context of what Gordon Strachan said, but he has never spoken to me or to Shaun about it. This kind of thing goes on in football all the time, but it's just stirring up the same old story that has been going on for a year.

"It would be unsettling for anyone to have these things cropping up all the time. If anyone has a serious interest in the player, then they should show their hand - otherwise it's just speculation and mischief-making.

"I had people calling me up three months after Shaun left Celtic saying: 'He's coming back to Glasgow, isn't he?'

"Until there is an agreement on all sides, then he is not. And right now nothing is happening. If Celtic want the player, they have to go through the correct channels, club to club, then we will talk. But I have no plans whatsoever to talk to Martin O'Neill about the player."

Villa manager O'Neill has repeatedly stated his desire to keep Maloney, despite the Malaysian-born Aberdonian's admission that he has suffered homesickness.

It's believed, however, that the former Celtic boss persuaded Maloney to give it until January before packing his bags to return to Scotland.

Sources Sportsmail have spoken to are convinced that a deal will be done with Celtic in January - with or without his agent's prior agreement.

"Shaun has now become accustomed to his surroundings," protested Halliwell.

"He has had a few minor injury problems but now he feels as good as gold. Other clubs have been interested in Shaun, the identity of which would surprise people. There are always other clubs interested, where Shaun is concerned. But again, any prospective clubs have to put their hands on the table."