McManus makes move to Riverside

13 July 2010 17:43
Celtic have confirmed the departure of central defender Stephen McManus to Championship outfit Middlesbrough on a three-year deal.[LNB] The former Hoops skipper spent the second half of last season on loan at the club and on Tuesday made the move permanent.[LNB]McManus joins forces with former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan, as well as old team-mates Barry Robson, Chris Killen, Willo Flood and Scott McDonald.[LNB]A statement on Celtic's official website read: "Celtic Football Club has bid farewell to their former captain, Stephen McManus, after ten successful years at the Hoops.[LNB]"The 27-year-old has joined Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough after spending the remainder of last season on-loan to the Championship side.[LNB]"McManus was a product of Celtic's youth academy before making his first-team debut in 2003 and was handed the captaincy on a permanent basis when Neil Lennon left the club four years later.[LNB]"The defender meets up with former Celts Scott McDonald and Willo Flood as he signs a three-year deal with the English side.[LNB]"Everyone at the club offers Stephen and his family their sincere best wishes for the future and thanks him for his great contribution to the club."[LNB]McManus, who had earlier completed a medical on Teesside, is the fourth man to join Boro this summer following Andy Halliday, Kris Boyd and Nicky Bailey.[LNB]The Scotland international made 16 appearances for Boro last season in an impressive spell which persuaded Strachan he could do the job on a permanent basis.[LNB]McManus becomes the latest Old Firm recruit to head for the Riverside, following in the footsteps of the Celtic quartet and Rangers striker Boyd.[LNB]He could soon be joined by Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson, who headed for the North-East on Tuesday to discuss a proposed switch from Ibrox.[LNB]McManus was delighted to have completed his move after whetting his appetite for English football last season.[LNB]He told Boro's official website: "I was lucky to have 12 great years with Celtic, right from leaving school. I was sad to go but it was the right time for me to move on.[LNB]"I really enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough last season. Everyone has been great with me here right from the off.[LNB]"The manager made it clear to me how much he wanted me to come here and in any line of work, you want to go where you are most wanted.[LNB]"In terms of the decision, I wanted to know what the manager's thoughts and plans were for the future.[LNB]"Obviously the signings the club has already made are impressive, while it's clear from speaking to him that the manager is ambitious.[LNB]"All the lads here are ambitious. This club should be in the Premiership, so promotion is the aim.[LNB]"The Championship is a tough league, but the aim is to go up. It's a big challenge for all of us, but one I am looking forward to."

Source: Team_Talk