McManus return among Neil Lennon's plans for the future at Celtic

INTERIM Celtic manager Neil Lennon has made tentative plans for next season - and they include bringing Stephen McManus back to the club.

• Lennon (right) makes a point to assistant Johan Mjallby during training

The Irishman took charge of Celtic last week on a temporary basis following the departure of Tony Mowbray.

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While stressing that he had been given no assurances that he will be made permanent manager, Lennon revealed he has discussed potential targets with his new assistant Johan Mjallby and admits McManus is the type of player he would want at the club.

The Hoops captain was allowed to join former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough in January on a loan deal and there has been speculation about a possible permanent transfer.

However, Lennon said: "I will be speaking to Stephen in the next few weeks and gauge how he is getting on.

"He is a good player, he has captained the team and won three championships in a row here so that is the sort of mentality we want at this club.

"I think he is just concentrating on getting games under his belt and I don't want to rock that at the moment.

"If he is enjoying his football down there then great but he is our player at the end of the day and he will coming back and we will talk to him then."

Former Celtic reserve team boss Lennon continued: "Johan and I have already spoken this morning, looking towards the following season, if I am still here.

"I have some ideas in my head but we will talk about that in more detail as the rest of the season progresses and as the close season comes upon us.

"The board will have a target of what their budget is and what their targets will be and I will be helping them along with that.

"I stress I have been no assurances, we will see how we go."