McManus to stake Scotland claim

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan believes Stephen McManus should now be striving to force his way into the Scotland squad after signing a two-year contract with the club.

The 23-year-old defender ended months of speculation by agreeing a deal which will become “more or less” three years. McManus has been rewarded for forcing his way into the first team at Parkhead this season but a Scotland call-up has still evaded him.

Strachan said: “I know he (Walter Smith) knows about him (McManus) and enjoys watching him but I will just let Walter get on with that.”