Thanks for Euro memories, McManus tells Strachan

Published on Wednesday 27 May 2009 09:38

CELTIC skipper Stephen McManus will always remember the great European nights under Gordon Strachan.

The former Coventry and Southampton boss quit the Parkhead club on Monday, 24 hours after Rangers had wrenched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title back to Ibrox for the first time in four years.

While the search for a successor goes on, with Tony Mowbray, Owen Coyle and Mark McGhee reportedly among the front runners, McManus remembered the influence Strachan had on his career.

Among three SPL title wins, a Scottish Cup final win and two Co-Operative Insurance Cup final wins, were two memorable seasons in Europe where Celtic reached the last 16 of the Champions League.

Amid those campaigns were famous home wins over Manchester United and AC Milan and, while Celtic failed to get through their Champions League group stages this season, McManus would not let that dampen his memories.

He said: "The European success has been fantastic. I played three years of Champions League football under the manager and he's put a lot of us on the map during that time, and given us the chance to play at the highest level.

"We've all got a lot to thank him for and I've thoroughly enjoyed playing under him.

"I speak for all the boys when I wish him well for the future."