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

radiogaga added 12:36 - Aug 26 by the way, 3wheeltractorboy, I am not really with you on your criticism of McManus at all. I have watched him play on many occasions, most notably when Celtic drew with Man Utd in the champions league last year and he had Rooney in his back pocket all evening, and also when Henry and Anelka could not find anyway past him when he played for Scotland a year or two back. I am not quite sure what type of players people like yourself are really expecting to join our club. We need a leader and a winner, he fits the bill perfectly for me...

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evansblue added 12:42 - Aug 26 He sounds excellent to me and I hope this comes off. Just what we need. I doubt it will keep the moaners and groaners happy though. This new breed who have come on board since the late 90s when 12k was the average attendance are certainly a hard bunch to please. They have no patience and prefer to slate the players at every given opportunity than offer their support.

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goldenblueboy added 12:42 - Aug 26 Bring him in!
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blueflo1 added 12:50 - Aug 26 its all rubbish we are playing like idiots keane is doing no better than magilton
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Gooders7592 added 12:55 - Aug 26 When Keane got Sunderland promoted they started the season same way that we have. All we need is patience, if this is true it will be a great signing however we still need a 15+ goalscorer. Either Healy or Beckford will do the job. Also a CM that wants to pass the ball. I hope he brings in Ben Watson as he was brilliant with Palace at this level.
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Gooders7592 added 12:55 - Aug 26 When Keane got Sunderland promoted they started the season same way that we have. All we need is patience, if this is true it will be a great signing however we still need a 15+ goalscorer. Either Healy or Beckford will do the job. Also a CM that wants to pass the ball. I hope he brings in Ben Watson as he was brilliant with Palace at this level.
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3wheeltractorboy added 12:58 - Aug 26 Read the title radiogaga Celtic Skipper......../Hopscotch....... sorry maybe these games are too old for you to remember! Could of made some pun towards fishermen of the coast of Scotland. Too much time on my hands
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StowTractorBoy added 13:24 - Aug 26 Keane has denied all knowledge of McManus and £2.5M would be ridiculous so can't see this coming off. Nosworthy (who has almost joined us in the past) would be OK and I agree Shittu would do a job as long as he has someone quick next to him. I stll say the centre of midfield is a must also, but ITFC seem to drag their feet when signing players - gone are the days when you just heard that someone has signed. Watson and Edwards would be lovely but I fear we are dreaming.

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Plumbers_Crack added 13:26 - Aug 26 Nice one 3wheeltractorboy, didn't see that one coming. Nearly sprayed tea over the PC screen!
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Burkey93 added 14:17 - Aug 26 This would be amazing for us because it would strengthen the defence massively. Then we would only need a couple of midfielders and a left back to replace delany because he is absolutly awful , specially when i watched him last night. Keane knows what he is doing and it wont take long to start the winning!
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RedDust added 14:22 - Aug 26 hollywoodginge- what news is there of peralta on the bbc website?
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keanotheenforcer added 14:48 - Aug 26 I have just been looking back at all the transfers we have been linked with over the summer on TWTD and will hold judgment on this guy until 1, he has signed and 2, he has played a hatful of games. Looking at his track record I would say he would be much better than anything else we have in defence at present and would happily pay the £2.3-£2.5 million required to get him. However I shall not get carried away, not being a pessimist or anything, I just prefer to not get carried away as how many of these have we signed that we have been linked with over the last month or two: Brian Murphy Nyron Nosworthy Carlos Edwards Daryl Murphy Ben Watson Gary Deegan Morgaro Gomis Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink Giovanni dos santos The first time I want to hear about a signing is when their name is signed and dry on the contract or am I in a minority?

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dobbie73 added 16:58 - Aug 26 We have agreed a fee with Sunderland for Leadbitter apparently ... http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5515237,00.html
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jas0999 added 17:02 - Aug 26 Would be an excellent signing!
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keanotheenforcer added 17:03 - Aug 26 Thats some up to date news you have there dobbie, good player but comes with a bit of a reputation-young offenders institution and caught for speeding several times! 23 though and a tough tackling midfielder, just what we need-sign him up Keano!
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DavidMurray added 17:04 - Aug 26 I like Leadbitter. He looked good against Norwich, would be the replacement for Norris I suppose. Still, need a bit more creativity even if we do sign him.
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Hux added 17:14 - Aug 26 Mcmanus would be a good signing but I am trying not to get excited about it before I see him walk out on the pitch wearing the shirt! Dont know much about Leadbitter Dobbie but fingers crossed he will be the no nonsense midfielder we desperately need.
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keanotheenforcer added 17:16 - Aug 26 Anyone else a little pit peeved with Sunderland always telling the media that they have accepted bids from us to try and get other clubs interested and hike the price up! I know its football but still
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