Maloney calls on Hibs squad to improve their discipline

Shaun Maloney has told his squad that they will need to improve their discipline if they want to reach their desired level in the second half of the season.

The Hibs manager will be in the dugout for his return to Celtic Park to play his former club when the Premiership resumes on Monday.

Defenders Ryan Porteous and Paul McGinn will be missing from the squad over bans picked up in recent matches.

And Maloney wants as many players as possible available for as many matches as possible as he looks to improve on their current league position

The Easter Road side are currently sitting in fifth place and, despite reaching the League Cup final, disciplinary issues have affected their form with eight red cards in all competitions already this season, not including the retrospective bans for Porteous and McGinn.

Maloney, who left his role as Belgium coach to take over from Jack Ross as manager last month, has spoken to the players about it and told them the situation must improve.

He said: “From my point of view, whatever discipline issues we’ve had – and there have been quite a few before I came – I think we have to get to a point where we raise the levels on that.

“I need as many of our players available for as many matches as possible. The squad now know that, and I think moving forward we have to be very aware of that.

“I spoke to them about it a few days ago. It was just a normal chat, really. In all games we have to look to have 11 players on the pitch as often as possible.”

Maloney is also looking forward to seeing how his new team cope with their trip to Glasgow.

He said: “I’m just really looking forward to seeing how my team plays under the biggest pressure. You obviously have the stadium and the home support but also the pressure Celtic put on you really high up the pitch.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing where my players are in that process. I know it’s early. It’s only our third game but I’m really looking forward to watching our players play in that environment. If we can play under that pressure, and I really believe we can, then it’s a really good sign moving forward.”

Chris Mueller, Rocky Bushiri, Harry Clarke and Dylan Tait are all in contention to make their Hibs debuts on Monday, but Elias Melkersen is still awaiting his work permit and Ewan Henderson is ineligible against his parent club.