Stephen McManus is delighted to have become a Middlesbrough player on a permanent basis and is targeting an npower Championship promotion charge next season. The 27-year-old defender played 16 games on loan from Celtic with Boro last season, but was scheduled to take part in the Glasgow giant's pre-season plans. "I had to speak to Celtic first because I was still a Celtic player, but I also spoke with Gordon Strachan and decided this was the right move for me," McManus told Middlesbrough's official website after following fellow new signings Andy Halliday, Nicky Bailey and Kris Boyd to Teesside. "I really enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough last season, everyone's been great with me here right from the off. The manager made it clear to me how much he wanted me to come here and in any line of work you want to go where you are most wanted. "In terms of the decision, I wanted to know what the manager's thoughts and plans were for the future. Obviously the signings the club has already made are impressive, while it's clear from speaking to him that the manager is ambitious. "All the lads here are ambitious. This club should be in the Premier League so promotion is the aim. The Championship is a tough league. It's a big challenge for all of us but one I'm looking forward to."
Source: PA
Source: PA