Stephen McManus returns from Middlesbrough

Stephen McManus is returning to Celtic unsure of his future after ending his loan spell at Middlesbrough.

With Gordon Strachan cutting back the club's staff it seems highly unlikely that he will be able to take McManus to the Riverside Stadium on a permanent basis.

"I have no idea what happens, this is new to me," McManus told the 'Boro website. "I have never been on loan before, I don't know what the scenario is.

"But what I do know is that I have really enjoyed my time down here, it's really opened my eyes to life outside Glasgow. It's been first class. 

"Whether I go back to Celtic, somewhere else or I stay here I'll be playing with a spring in my step and it's because of this club."

McManus added: "The fans have been great. When I came down here some had commented on the fans, some positive, some negative but personally they have been great.

"Plymouth really opened my eyes about the Boro fans. It was just incredible how many we took down there, especially in the circumstances. Players really appreciate that kind of support.

"I don't think that enough people think about the men and women who work Monday to Friday and then pay good money to come and watch us. It's an incredible feeling for us to wear the strip to make them  proud."

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Boro website

McManus: No prizes for bravery

Stephen McManus ought to know that no medals, or contracts are handed out in football for bravery.

Over the last two years his performances have dipped alongside his fitness, there's little doubt that it's been a long time since he's enjoyed full fitness.

Playing through the pain barrier is a mugs game on two fronts- it aggravates injuries and effects form with McManus the perfect example.

Various injuries prevented the centre half from building on the early successes of his Celtic career which earned him the club captaincy.

After missing out on the start of the season at Celtic he moved on loan to Middlesbrough in January where he has so far made nine appearances.

Automatic promotion is a write-off for Gordon Strachan's side but the play-off's remain a realistic target for a dozen inconsistent Championship sides.

Beating Preston at the Riverside tomorrow night is essential if 'Boro are to build any momentum with Mick typically anxious to be involved after missing Saturday's draw with Reading.

"He was desperate to play,” 'Boro coach Colin Copper admitted. "But the gaffer took a look at him and felt it was too much of a risk.

“You’ve got to be able to keep going for 90 minutes but Mick clearly wasn’t well.

“We’ll hope that it is just a 24-hour thing. We will see how he goes in training.”

 Football is littered with players who felt that they could play through injuries, and also littered with those that call off injured at the slightest knock.

There are examples everywhere of players who thought that they knew best or did it for the team only to find themselves eventually discarded or sidelined.

Whether his future is at Celtic or elsewhere the remaining months of the season should be about regaining form and confidence for Mick- he's did enough soldiering on for the cause and has nothing to prove to anyone in terms of bravery.

Captaincy decision looms closer for Mowbray

The return from injury of Stephen McManus will pose some interesting questions for Tony Mowbray in terms of his defensive formation and also the captaincy issue.

Captaincy is generally a less important issue in the modern game but at Celtic it carries more status although recent captains have had their work cut out living up to the job description defined by Billy McNeill and refined by Danny McGrain and Roy Aitken.

McManus's return presents Mowbray with three central defensive options and also three captaincy options.

The Celtic manager hasn't commented much on the captaincy position, it is trendy to suggest that a team should be full of captains but inspirational types are generally thin on the ground.

McManus has been the club captain for the last two years but faces a battle to regain his place in the team which would surely put his position as captain in jeopardy.

CONTRACT
Caldwell has been the captain this season, when available, but has been below his best form and is now well into the final year of his contract.

Outsider Looverns had a troubled start to his Celtic career but since starring in the Co-Operative Cup Final win over Rangers in March has probably been the club's best defender.

Three into two won't go with Mowbray a fan of the 4-4-2 system which looks like leaving one internationalist sitting on the sidelines as the season develops.

Picking up on the impressive domestic form against Dundee United and Hearts over the next two weekends is all important, last season Celtic managed to draw six games out of eight against the teams battling for third place.

The defensive selection and captains role tomorrow will give interesting pointers towards the future shape of Mowbray's side.