BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Hull City manager Steve Bruce admits he wants Scotland forward Shaun Maloney to lead their charge for promotion straight back to the English top-flight.
Bruce has confirmed his interest in the Chicago Fire player amid reports that the Tigers had an opening bid rejected by the MLS side last week.
Maloney left Wigan for a fresh challenge across the Atlantic in January after signing a three-year deal with Fire, but Bruce reckons he can convince the 32-year-old to return to England.
Bruce said: “He is another one that we hope that we can get that over the line. It’s difficult as he’s only been there six months but we’re trying. He’s somebody I have liked for a long time.
“We know we’re thin on the ground but I’m still confident that by the end of the window we’ll have enough in the building to make sure we can mount a challenge.”
Maloney, who has only recently returned from a back injury, made his 13th appearance for Fire in Friday’s 1-0 defeat Portland Timbers.
Official figures released by the MLS last month revealed that the former Celtic and Aston Villa attacker was his team’s highest-paid player, taking in an annual salary of just over £1 million.
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