Stephen McManus eases Bristol City's central defensive problem
City have agreed a 93-day emergency loan deal for Middlesbrough defender Stephen McManus.
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The deal sees the return of the 30-year-old centre-half who spent a brief loan spell at Ashton Gate between February and March.
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With just one league appearance to his name for parent club Boro this campaign, McManus will relish the opportunity to play regular football and rejoin a number of familiar faces.
Manager Derek McInnes said: "Last season I felt he came in and gave us a real lift; hopefully he can do something similar this time around.
"Of course his loan spell was curtailed early last time and I think he feels he has unfinished business here.
"He was desperate to come back and now we have him for the next three months.
"Stephen is experienced at Championship level, has battling qualities, defends his box and can be the first-ball winner. He'll be very dominant and a good professional to have about the place.
"This position is one we've been looking to strengthen for some time and it's great we've got someone who can come in, is desperate to play and also knows all about us too."
Lanark-born Stephen was a trainee at Celtic, making his professional debut under Martin O'Neill at Parkhead in season 2003/04.
He later established himself as a first choice centre-half during Gordon Strachan's all-conquering reign.
He won three Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cup during his time at Parkhead, where he was a regular skipper.
McManus joined Boro on loan in season 2009/10, linking up with Strachan once more, before making the deal permanent for £1.5m in July 2010.
Internationally McManus has 26 caps for Scotland, with two goals, and has also taken the captain's armband on numerous occasions.
He is unable to face his parent club at the Riverside on November 24th, or play in the FA Cup third round. The deal - which runs until January 17th 2013 - is subject to Football League approval.
Comments
by Flowellawella
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 8:59PM
“@Frankclack
He played in the u 19 match that beat Millwall the other night and if you check his Twiiter page he mentions on there he is now signed up
https://twitter.com/nathanbat13”
by DraytonGas
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 6:55PM
“Bet he's pleased not to have to face Muzzy in training for the next 3 months!”
by Frankclack
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 4:41PM
“Better late than never I suppose, presumably the stumbling block has been wages.
That is not meant to be a churlish response, it's just a pity that it couldn't have happened sooner.
To those who say that we need another this or another that, I suggest we see first what comes of this signing.
We have three central defenders (four if you count Carey), and with someone with proper mature experience to hold their hand, surely one of them will step up to the plate. The immediate necessity it to appoint a strong captain who puts himself about a bit. A leader on the pitch might not win a match but he can certainly save it against the odds.
Flowella mentioned Battersby from Bolton and there has been no mention from Ashton about a signing. Is that so as not to conflict with the news about McManus, or because the player is very much one for the future, or simply because it is just another rumour?
The way that the City site has operated over the past week, I was beginning to think that the club had shut up shop so that everyone could get their Christmas shopping done early!”
by BinRelegated
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 2:43PM
“Forgot to add, that i would play Fonts at left back until Cunningham returns as now we have a very attack minded midfield and attack we can afford to have someone more defence minded at left back rather than a player who may need to overlap all of the time.”
by BinRelegated
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 2:41PM
“Good signing. At last we have a real defensive leader, for the time being anyway.
I hope that McManus plays alongside James Wilson as i think Wilson will really flourish along side someone dependable who is able to give him advice and guidance. However, i suspect that Fonts may play on the right which isnt fair on him or the team.”
by Flowellawella
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 1:23PM
“He also brought in Nathan Battersby from Bolton in the week he's only 19 and plays RCB . hopefully he will mature nicely into are first team very soon”
by piledriver
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 1:08PM
“Left Side CB which should mean he plays next to Carey at Bolton with Fonts on the bench.Carey played well next to Sean Taylor who was very left sided.
Playing Fonts out of position at either LB or RCB isn't the answer to his poor form.
Let's hope Dawson signs as well!!!”
by harryreg_uk
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 1:02PM
“sounds like Del has got seriously ****** off with Fontaines form, hopefully a RCB on the way aswell but this has to be a good start if only to make LF play at his best again!”
by Wurzelm
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 12:36PM
“Evidence of DMAC's ability to attract the quality of player we need at this club. If he can stay fit, an excellent addition to the squad...lets hope it results in Fontaine uping his game now he's got some serious competition.
Fingers crossed, the defender injury curse moves on to BS7 !
COYR !!!!”
by Spasmcasm
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 12:29PM
“seems to contradict earlier quotes from the manager who wanted a right sided centre back, however, he did well last season and is infinitely better than what we have. Just don't get injured!!
Hopefully, his arrival will spark Fonts into some kind of form....”