CAPTAIN’S BIG DECISION
when they failed to sign Steven Fletcher – as a key reason for letting in Rangers. But McManus insisted Celtic won’t make the same slip-ups this time. The Hoops are looking to tool up for the title race with PSG kid Timothy Weah set to arrive while Vakoun Issouf Bayo is a target and others are on the wishlist. McManus said: “It’s important to make the right signings rather than just any signings. There needs to be the right blend, players need to fit into the culture of the club. “But if you get the right ones in it can give everyone a lift. Everyone talks about that January 10 years ago and I know there was a sense if we’d got one or two more in we would have won the league. “It was two right good sides going at it for the title. “Over the course of a season the best team will always win the league. “Brendan Rodgers and Peter Lawwell will know exactly what’s required. If there’s two people you want in charge of your club at this particular stage it’s those two. I’ve no doubt they will address the areas that need strengthened.”
McManus reckons Celtic will bolster their squad and still believes his old club can bounce back from the derby defeat and hold off the biggest fight for the title in years.
He said: “Rangers deserved their victory but that will only strengthen Celtic’s resolve when it comes to business in January.
“There are areas Rodgers will want to address because he’ll know his side are in a race this year.
“There is more competition than we’ve seen for a few years. I still think Celtic are the ones to beat. It’s the first time Rangers have beaten Celtic in 13 games, which isn’t a bad innings, but there’s always a lot of panic, hysteria and noise after a defeat.
“There’s no prizes given out at this stage so we’ll see where they end up. There may be a lot of twists and turns but it’s good for Scottish football.”
Star Sixes reunites the world’s greatest players in national team colours to renew old rivalries in six-a-side action. SSE Hydro, Glasgow, January 4-6. Tickets from £20/£10 at thessehydro.com