Tuesday 31 July 2007 23:41, UK
Celtic defender Stephen McManus has signed a new deal and been appointed captain.
Celtic defender Stephen McManus has celebrated being named as the club's new captain by signing a four-year contract with the Scottish champions.Under Gordon Strachan the 24-year-old has established himself as a key member of Celtic's first team and following Neil Lennon's departure to Nottingham Forest, he has been handed the captain's armband.
McManus is delighted with how matters have transpired this week, conceding his pride at following in a long line of illustrious Celtic captains.
"I'm absolutely delighted to have signed this new deal at Celtic," he told the club's official website.
"I've come through the ranks here at the club and am proud to have played a part in the success we've had these past few seasons. Hopefully that will continue in the years to come, both in Scotland and in European competition as well.
"To be given the captaincy of Celtic is a tremendous honour and it is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career so far.
"I'm proud to follow in the footsteps of so many great Celtic captains from the past and I hope that I will be able to achieve as much success as they have over the years."
It has been reported that McManus' new deal is worth in the region of £16,000 per week.
