McManus set to sign Hoops deal
Celtic defender Stephen McManus is poised to sign a new deal with the club.
The 23-year-old has become a first-team regular this season under manager Gordon Strachan after failing to make an impact during Martin O’Neill’s time at Celtic Park.
And the Celtic boss, who is also aiming to tie up striker Shaun Maloney on a new contract in the near future, insists McManus’ deal is a reward for his hard work.
Strachan said: “Stephen is as important to this club as any player. The talks to sign him up have been going well and we’re not too far away.
“Stephen only had about 3% of playing time in the two seasons before this one. He has played 90% this time and that’s a big shift to cope with physically and mentally. Stephen is a sponge for information and takes what he can out on to the pitch. He’s the one who does our talking at the back and he’s maturing all the time.
“When you look in his eyes you know he is listening. Guys like Stephen are one of the reasons why you become a coach.”
Strachan is currently considering a request to join the BBC as a pundit at the World Cup this summer.
But, after already securing Kenny Miller and Gary Caldwell on pre-contract agreements, he is hoping any further business in the summer will be complete when the tournament in Germany starts on June 9.
Strachan added: “I hope to have all my business finalised before the World Cup starts. We have positions we need back up for.
“I don’t want to be in the same position as last season when it was a hectic summer. I might go to the World Cup but I don’t want to be spooked into signings.
“Going to major tournaments is good. During Euro 2004 I was working with the BBC and managed to take in 11 games in 10 days because of the access you get.”
