Shaun Maloney | The Start of Summer

The Gaffer reflects on an extremely positive few weeks for Wigan Athletic ahead of the start of pre-season

• Shaun Maloney | The Start of Summer
• The Gaffer reflects on a positive few weeks for Wigan Athletic ahead of the players returning for pre-season 
• Maloney discusses the contract extensions of Sam Tickle and Jason Kerr, the additions of Michael Olakigbe and Calvin Ramsay, and Latics' confirmed pre-season fixture schedule 

Ahead of the Wigan Athletic first-team players returning for pre-season training at the end of June, Shaun Maloney wants Latics to continue with their very positive start to the summer proceedings. 

It has been a busy but enjoyable few weeks for Maloney, Sporting Director Gregor Rioch, and Head of Recruitment Stephen Gormal, as the Football Club retained the services of England U21 goalkeeper Sam Tickle and popular defender Jason Kerr, and acquired the loan signings of Brentford winger Michael Olakigbe and Liverpool full-back Calvin Ramsay. 

Speaking exclusively to Latics TV, Maloney expressed his delight to have started their summer business early, and that he is hoping that the good news can keep on coming for the Football Club in the following weeks. 

“I’m really happy and in different ways,” he told Latics TV.

“Re-signing some really important players and bringing in two new players to the Club. I’m happy but I want to keep pushing forward. 

“It was huge to start with Sam (Tickle). He’d earned it, and we have to show the younger players that there is a pathway here, and once they prove they are first-team players, they have to be rewarded like first-team players.

“Sam had an incredible season and deserved the contract he has got. It’s big intention from him, I spoke to him a lot during the summer, and he wants to have success here. It was a big statement for the Club and a bigger statement from him. He showed a real loyalty to us and it meant a lot. Now for Sam, (his aim) is to be even better this season. 

“When I came here in January 18 months ago, Jason (Kerr) was two months into a really long rehabilitation. To watch him battle back from that, his mindset was so strong, and off the pitch, he’s someone I really respect. 

“I can see the way he leads in his own way - as a quiet leader - and the performances he had on the pitch were at a really good level. He was producing really good performances for us. We made a big effort to keep him, and he’s made a big commitment to us.”

On the arrivals of Michael Olakigbe and Calvin Ramsay and future summer recruitment, the Gaffer added: 

“Michael is one where 12 months ago, I pushed hard to get him from Brentford and they kept him for their first-team squad. 

“He’s super talented, and I really like what he can do both off the left and right. When I met him for the first time, there was a real quiet determination to get to a certain level, and he was driven to come and have a successful season with us. 

“I’ve seen so much of Calvin (Ramsay) from when he broke through at Aberdeen. Technically, he’s really good and fantastic at set plays. 

“He’s had a difficult time - he had an injury at Preston North End and when he first joined Liverpool - and I got the same sense that he has the hunger to succeed.

“He’s a really talented full-back. It’s a really specific profile that I wanted, and I’m happy to have got him. I’m glad he’s here by the first day of pre-season.

“What I’ve loved when I’ve met the players that we’ve signed - hopefully there is more in the next few days - but I need to see that sense of succeeding.

“For us this season, we’re not going to have the biggest budget, and what have to do within our Club is be very humble and quiet, and if we work away in our way, we’ve got a chance of being very successful. I want to sense that from the players who come to the Club, and so far I have.

“We have to try and get as many players as we can in the squad. We’re not going to rush into certain decisions, but I would like to have as much of the squad with us in pre-season and on the trip to Hungary. 

“The more work I can get into the players, the quicker they can adapt, and the quicker we can perform at a certain level.”

Latics will return to the Hungarian Federation Training Centre following the success of last season's trip, before having half a dozen local pre-season friendlies ahead of the 2024/25 Sky Bet League One campaign getting underway. 

Maloney is excited to get back to business and expressed that his players should expect a challenging pre-season as they look to attack the new season. 

“I really liked the pre-season we had last year. Hungary is a great place to train, we stay on-site and we have the pitch next to the rooms.

“It’s a really good atmosphere, and we go there to work. The weather helps - and the conditions are perfect to get the work in.

“I am really happy with all the friendlies - we got them done pretty early, and we need to push the players in tough conditions. Now, we need to build the squad, and that’s why I am happy with the two lads who re-signed and the two players we’ve brought in.

“Pre-season will be hard and I want to push them in both training and in the games we have.” 

Watch the full interview with Shaun Maloney above on Latics TV!