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.