Stephen McManus has paid tribute to Gordon Strachan for putting Celtic on the Champions League map.
Defender hails former manager's European impact
Stephen McManus has paid tribute to former manager Gordon Strachan for putting Celtic on the UEFA Champions League map.
Strachan stepped down on Monday just hours after seeing Rangers land the Scottish Premier League crown for the first time in four years.
The former Southampton and Coventry boss guided the Bhoys to three SPL titles, the Scottish Cup and two Co-Operative Insurance Cup triumphs.
But it was his efforts in Europe where he twice helped Celtic reach the last 16 of the Champions League which made most of an impression on Scotland defender McManus.
Fantastic
He told
Celtic View: "The European success has been fantastic.
"Personally, I played three years of Champions League football under the manager and he's put a lot of us on the map during that time, and given us the chance to play at the highest level.
"We've all got a lot to thank him for and I've thoroughly enjoyed playing under him.
"I speak for all the boys when I wish him well for the future."
The Scotland defender thanked Strachan for taking him out of the Parkhead reserves and turning him in to a first-team regular.
"The gaffer has been a massive influence on my career and I have a lot to thank him for," he said.
Respect
"He gave me an extended run in the first team when he arrived in 2005 and he appointed me captain a couple of years later.
"The players are all sad to see the manager go because we've had a lot of success under him over the last four years. It's been an incredible time in our careers.
"He's worked with a lot of players and has done so much for the club, but he obviously thinks it's time to move on and we all respect that.
"It's been a great four years at Celtic. He's been different class and his record speaks for itself. Nobody can knock his achievements at Celtic. He's been superb."
