Shaun Maloney is reportedly in contention for a major behind the scenes role at Celtic this summer.
The former Hibs and Wigan Athletic manager played a significant part in the Hoops' Double-winning season as Martin O'Neill's assistant.
And the ex-attacker also had a big say in the January transfer signings made by the club as they hunted down Hearts to eventually lift the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.
Now the Daily Record are reporting that Maloney is being lined up for a spot as Celtic's sporting director heading into the new season which would maintain some consistency for the first time at Parkhead in recent times.
It comes as the hierarchy plan discussions with O'Neill regarding his future with the 74-year-old believed to be wanted for a permanent stay by the higher-ups.
The Northern Irishman has hinted multiple times this season that he expects to leave the club at the end of the season but he could still be convinced to stay on.
Maloney was an influential figure at Celtic alongside O'Neill as well as Mark Fotheringham and that has not gone unnoticed by the boardroom.
The Scotland cap had already been working away from management at Lennoxtown before taking interim coaching duties as their pathway manager which he took over from Darren O'Dea.
It remains to be seen whether or not Maloney and O'Neill will, indeed, make their stay full-time beyond the summer.
But one of Maloney's first decisions would perhaps be to appoint a new manager in the east end of Glasgow if O'Neill ruled himself out of the running.
Robbie Keane is in the frame having departed Ferencvaros while Craig Bellamy is also a name in contention.
