And although his recovery will keep him out of contention for a first team place until the end of the year, he is convinced he will return stronger and more determined.

Maloney is ready to sign an extension to his contract before the Tennent’s Scottish Cup final which will see him remain at Parkhead until at least 2007.

“The contract will be signed, hopefully by the end of the season,” he told the Glasgow Evening Times. “Everything has been agreed.

“It was agreed before my injury, and you do worry what will happen.

“But, to be fair, the manager and even the chairman came and spoke to me about it. They have been brilliant.

“They spoke to me before and after my operation and told me nothing had changed.

“It is great loyalty, because they could easily have just gone back on their word.

“And it is little things like that which mean when you come back you are going to give them your loyalty in return.”