Town are set to sign Celtic captain Stephen McManus on loan with a view to a £2.5 million permanent move, according to reports in Scotland. McManus is out of favour under Tony Mowbray’s management at Parkhead despite having been named in George Burley’s latest Scotland squad.

Lanark-born McManus, 26, came through the youth ranks at Celtic, making his senior debut in the 2003/04 season. In 2007 he was made captain and up to now he has made 188 starts and one sub appearance for the Bhoys, scoring 20 goals, playing alongside Roy Keane during his spell at Celtic.

For Scotland, 6ft 2in tall McManus has won 18 caps and has scored one goal.

An experienced centre-half very much looks to be one of Roy Keane’s targets with the Blues having conceded a number of poor goals during the season so far.

Elsewhere, Town are also again being linked with Sunderland trio Daryl Murphy, Nyron Nosworthy and Carlos Edwards. The Blues boss was due to watch the trio in action in the Black Cats’ Carling Cup tie at Norwich on Monday.

Alex Bruce’s installation as captain in place of Gareth McAuley is also reported this morning, as revealed by TWTD earlier in the week.

Photo: Action Images

itfc711 added 09:08 - Aug 26 2.5 mill......!!!!!! where has that come from?!! excited by this though.
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yarmoblue added 09:12 - Aug 26 come on keano get em in . would rather not have murphy though
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bedsitfc added 09:13 - Aug 26 we can hope but just dont think it will happen also a creative midfielder please
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SW1_Blue added 09:17 - Aug 26 As i have said before, this poor start, especially by our defence, has been a blessing in disguise. if we are honest, we all know we have had defensive problems for a while. Thank heavens they have been exposed for all, inclduing the owner and manager, to see, before the window shuts.
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blueboy65 added 09:17 - Aug 26 if this is true we need a few more midfield was rubbish again last night aprt from Quinn might as well have played a 1-5-0-5 system , only plus point Pablo played well and priskin looked good alongside him, sholud have left them both on for another 15/20 mins
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derbytractoryboy added 09:18 - Aug 26 Keano has obviously got his wish in getting rid of Stead and Garvan and freed up the cash for this deal. PLEASE PLEASE let this be true we need a better defense!!
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derbytractoryboy added 09:22 - Aug 26 Stead to Derby, heard it here first!!
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ItfcLoyal added 09:23 - Aug 26 Thank god ! defenders at last and i like the sound of McManus and nosworthy if its true carlos edwards would be good in are midfield still think we need another centre mid ben watson , and im not sure about murphy but he mite prove us all wrong
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Sixto_Peralta added 09:23 - Aug 26 This had better be true, I'm sick to death of TWTD just sticking up any old rumour they hear.
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bluewein added 09:24 - Aug 26 Priskin will start scoring goals, Pabs back fit, Mcawful dropped and a scottish international defender with champions league experience coming in!!! Lets hear the moaners start now!!!!
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biginsend added 09:28 - Aug 26 Don't know where this came from but it's a non story I'm afraid. McManus has been injured not "out of favour". There is also no way Celtic would pitch him at 2.5million.
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BlueVic added 09:30 - Aug 26 please please let this be the truth. Excellent siging if so and give him the armband.
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BYRNE_16 added 09:33 - Aug 26 This should help stop the leaks
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steve01777 added 09:35 - Aug 26 cant be true surely he aint irish lol!!! no this is good news hopefully he is a dominatrix like character who will whip the rest of the shoddy lot up nice to see Pablo back please can we get a win on saturday a 1-0 bore win will do just to get are season started
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blueoveru added 09:37 - Aug 26 At last a hard nut centre half,dont wish to be greedy but can we have a 20+ goals a season centre forward as well,thanks.
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Goldtooth added 09:39 - Aug 26 Would love to see this happen, but got a feeling this is more paper talk than substance?
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Essexnblue added 09:43 - Aug 26 Have a great mate who follows Celtic all over the world, he reckons the deal was done on Monday, but Wolves are also sniffing around. He says that his lack of games isnt down to ability, its down to the way that Mogga has them playing. So hurry up get him in!!!!
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SouperJim added 09:53 - Aug 26 Would be a fantastic signing, everything crossed for this one. Roky Nose barmy army!
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keanostackle added 09:53 - Aug 26 Please sign him up Keano, along with Nosworthy, Edwards and Watson would be well chuffed with them four. In Keano I trust !!!
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PimsNumber1 added 10:02 - Aug 26 wolves were/are sniffing around at 2.3 mill. I read celtic were willing to listen to offers at about that price. So they want to sell. Whether he ends up here Im not sure but lets hope so. Noseworthy at the back aswell would be excellent. Probably would prefer Shittu but either would be great.
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byebyesheepshanks added 10:02 - Aug 26 Buy cheap, buy twice. Why didn't we just get Santos in at the start of the season & leave the latest crop of Irish journeymen etc where they were. RK an impact manager. If he was appointed middle last season we would have madee the playoffs before it fell apart. (look at Sunderland). Now the players have seen through him in Pre-season & it's a shambles. All Evans wants is to get promoted so the £40m of loans he bought for £6m make him richer. A good footballing, self sufficient, well run & respected side in the championship is all we need. Would make Saturdays so much more enjoyable.

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ross_da_blu added 10:02 - Aug 26 yes yes yes a centre back and hopefully edwards or/and watson thank you keano
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sirbobbyrip added 10:05 - Aug 26 get sixto peralta back. he's at CFR Cluj
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MarkITFC added 10:06 - Aug 26 Great signing if we pull this off , Captain /leader just what we need I heard about this last night and put it in the forum.
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runaround added 10:07 - Aug 26 hope its true but fear it may just be paper talk. We definately need 2 or 3 good signings to give everyone a lift. McManus, Watson and Edwards would do nicely
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