Stephen McManus

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40925353

Just retired.

Had some great seasons at Celtic, always gave 100% and often risked his body - remember the time he tackled with his head?

Of course how can you forget this late double?

 

He'll probably be back at the club in some capacity I'd imagine. Pretty sure he commentates on Celtic TV sometimes.

Gave his all for the club and a true Tim.

 

Posted without reading the article

Motherwell, bleaugh

 

There was no doubting his commitment, only whether it was sensible or not. When he was fully fit he was a solid enough defender that we may have been able to find at the time, and WGS obviously rated him, as he was part of the foundation from which he structured his teams around. Think although he did captain us to winning the league one time, it was maybe a cautionary tale about giving the armband permanantly to a guy who was not really ready for it.

McManus was WGS's man, through and through. However there was more than one time Mick did the team no favours when he was struggling with injury and instead of taking a little time off to get it sorted struggled through. This made for a liability only for it to get worse and with it the problems at the heart of the defence in partnership with Caldwell, especially considering Heid could be a downright bombscare at times.

Admittedly though, Brown had tendencies in the past when he was around the same age of trying to battle through injurues and only made it worse, not to mention made him seem like he was chasing the game instead of bossing it, and gave the impression of being a headless chook. Thankfully, he got over that and matured into the leader and captain he is, as one of the most honoured in our history, and therein lies the contrast with McManus, and the captain that might have been, who left and ended up with (apart from his time here under WGS) a solid, professional, if unspectacular, career for the main part.

Best of luck to him in the future with his coaching career.

 

Seen him last week hobbling away through Uddingston main street, wonder if that's something to do with him retiring?

Anyway, big Mick is probably up there with my favourite Celtic captains - loved him, even though he wisnae the greatest footballer, he'd have ran through a brick wall for the club.

 

Also the only commentator on Celtic TV I can listen to.

 

Big man won me a right few quid that day. We were 2 v 0 down and massive odds at half time. Wish the big man all the best!!

 

Wasn't the greatest player and I wasn't his biggest fan but he was solid as *

 

Will never forget that night he personally escorted Kaka right up to our goal in the last 16 of the champions league, what a gent.

Joking aside I did like him and Caldwell too.

 

Met him once, seemed like a gentleman. Had limitations as a player but I always thought he received more criticism than he actually deserved.

 

After the monsters he had to follow in big Bobo, Johan and Joos he did an admirable job. Where he ended up going summed up his limitations but should be considered a hero for his commitment to the club. If only a certain Tony Watt could take a look at guys like him with far less natural ability and realise what he could've had.

Hopefully come back to the club as he could teach the young lads about what it means to play for Celtic and show that you don't need to be Beckenbauer if you have the right attitude and desire.

 

Seemed a great guy and was a fine captain. All the best, Mick.

 

"Heid" and "Hoof" partnership has been one of the better in recent times.

That Hearts game was tremendous. Best of luck to him.

 

I really liked him when I was younger, true CB of old which used to wear his heart on sleeve for us, back then one of my favorite players too.

I wish him all the best in his coaching career, hopefully he'll leave that * pit called Motherwell and return home.

 

https://soundcloud.com/talkingbaws/...s-joins-us-to-talk-motherwell-celtic-and-more

 

Quality watch.

 

Great watch, Mick is very likable...