Town will make a renewed attempt to sign Celtic central defender Stephen McManus, according to reports in Scotland. McManus, who spent the second half of 2009/10 at Middlesbrough, turned down a loan move to Portman Road last summer.

The former Bhoys skipper, 27, is said to be available for £1.5 million to £2 million with Town boss Roy Keane understood to be interested in bringing his one-time Celtic team-mate to Suffolk on a permanent basis.

Boro, managed by ex-Parkhead boss Gordon Strachan, are also believed to be interested in signing the Scotland international full-time.

Lanark-born McManus came through the youth ranks at Celtic, making his senior debut in the 2003/04 season.

Since then he has made 200 starts and three sub appearances for the Bhoys, scoring 20 goals, and captained the side from 2007 until last summer. For Scotland, 6ft 2in tall McManus has won 22 caps, scoring one goal.

McManus made 16 starts for Middlesbrough, including their 1-1 draw at Portman Road in February, and scored one goal.

An experienced central defender is very likely to be on Roy Keane’s list of potential summer recruits with Alex Bruce expected to join former loan side Leicester, Pim Balkestein released and Gareth McAuley reported to be interesting Bolton and Rangers.

Photo: Action Images

dobbie73 added 10:28 - Jun 16 My first thought was 'why?' (already have McAuley, Delaney and Smith), but then I read the last line of the story .... do we take this as Big Mac more likely to be on his way now? Or simply more papertalk?
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squiz added 10:35 - Jun 16 If he has already turned us down, why are we trying again?
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Wallingford_Boy added 10:35 - Jun 16 Macca is going nowhere, usual paper rubbish, but we do still need some cover for he and DD. Eastman will be a great player, but not just yet, so we really do need some decent competition (not sure Smith is the man either).
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Up_The_Town84 added 10:42 - Jun 16 Finally...... a transfer story, a decent player too!!
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tractorboybig added 11:03 - Jun 16 turned us down once? put him on his bike,bye bye.
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andygizmo added 11:22 - Jun 16 He'll go to Middlesborough. He likes Strachan. We may want him but getting him is another matter.
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blueherts added 11:50 - Jun 16 Prefer Mick
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Mungo added 12:16 - Jun 16 This would indicate that RK is either planning to sell GM (player of the year, is McManus noticeably better?) and bring this guy in as a replacement, or bringing him in as competition/back up. The question to either scenario is why?
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blueherts added 13:09 - Jun 16 Err cos he is clueless
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rubberblood added 13:20 - Jun 16 hmmmm wallingfordboy can see into the future... Can you tell me saturday's lottery results please.
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SouperJim added 13:32 - Jun 16 The usual old drivel from most of you, a credible link to a decent player and you're either convinced it means we're about to sell someone else or just generally moaning about nothing in particular and finding ludicrous ways to use this to criticise our manager.
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Mungo added 15:16 - Jun 16 Sorry SouperJim, I don't mean to sound negative, but I just don't see the logic in this one. Yes McManus is a decent player, but is he much better than players we already have in his position? If he is not to be a first choice, why spend big on someone who is going to sit on the bench? Why trade like for like, particularly when it results in a financial deficit? Would rather RK spent the money on a capable full back, a winger or a forward. If something isn't broken, don't fix it!

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Monkey_Blue added 15:40 - Jun 16 We need a right back or perhaps two and a left back, more than a CB, which once again highlights the rank ignorance of keane as a manager to let david wright go, we now need to spend a few hundred grand to find one who might not be any better if as good. Sorth yourself a decent assistant out who can stop you making awfu decisons like than rather than lashing out 2m on another old connection....are any of you confident keane will sign good players. His judgement on players is shocking and expensive at the same time

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bluepeter added 16:29 - Jun 16 Thanks Dobbie, that's made my day! I'll agree with all you say.
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denhamblue added 17:38 - Jun 16 um,i boringly predict,come mid july,weve signed nobody,of a good standard,And will then out of desperation,get in average,cheap,nobody wants players.Oh how can i suggest such a thing!
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