You’ve captained your club to their third successive league championship, there’s a Champions League campaign ahead and you have led out your country for the first time. Just 12 months ago, Celtic captain Stephen McManus could do no wrong. This summer, however, the outlook is very different.
Following a season which, at best could be described as inconsistent, the fairly small group of Celtic fans who had always doubted McManus’ abilities as a skipper, had increased to a sizeable number looking for his removal from the starting line up. With a new manager in place, he will have to prove himself all over again.
During Martin O’Neill’s reign McManus first broke into the team, but was never more than a fringe player. Under Gordon Strachan he has developed from a raw, uncompromising centre back, into a mature defender who, although not blessed with lightning pace, is commanding in the air and able to organise those around him. He has also chipped in with some crucial goals.
Last season he appeared less assured, though this could be partly attributed to Strachan’s zonal marking system, which never at any point seemed to win over players or fans. McManus would be far more comfortable as a man marker and surely will be given the chance to show that in the upcoming campaign.
Could it be that he has been overwhelmed by the responsibility that captaincy brings? Initially McManus appeared to thrive in the role, but it may now have become a burden. As already mentioned, there were those who doubted he ever had the credentials to lead the side in the first place, and Tony Mowbray has already stated he will make a decision during pre-season as to who will be given the armband. Should Mowbray be unconvinced by McManus as a player, he will find it easier to drop a centre-back, than to drop a centre-back who is also club captain.
McManus’ downturn in fortunes is ironic, given the recent form of his defensive partner, Gary Caldwell. For much of his Celtic career, Caldwell has been the team whipping boy, particularly after a couple of howlers in the Champions League which gifted goals to Benfica and Barcelona. However, some inspired performances have resulted in Caldwell being voted Scotland’s sports writers Player of the Year for 2008/09.
McManus may miss the start of the forthcoming season due to injury, which could allow the competent but unspectacular Glenn Loovens to stake a claim for a regular start. Whilst he is by no means the only Celtic player with something to prove this season, on his return, McManus’ level of performance will need to improve or he may force his new boss into some tough decisions.
Written by William Heaney
It’s interesting you note that McManus started to go downhill with the introduction of zonal marking. You would think he would be most effective in this circumstance, even if the team did do worse overall.
Also interesting you mention the captaincy as a burden – I guess some players worry about the rest of their team and lose their own game – of course it also brings out the best in some players too.
Would be interesting to see something further on this revolving around the impact of captaincy on players – can anyone think of any players who have had similar misfortunes of captaining a team? There must be some obvious ones……
Steven
Thanks for your comments. I think given the physical presence of the three centre-backs Celtic used for most of last season, the number of goals conceded from set-pieces was alarming. They never appeared happy marking space, rather than a specific player.
While losing the captaincy may initially be a blow, I think it would allow McManus to concentrate on being the type of player he was when he first broke into the side.
Also interesting point about others who have struggled with being a captain. I can’t think of any straight off but would be interested to see if anyone can provide some examples.
Michael Owen hasn’t had the greatest of captaincies at Newcastle. It seems to affect Nicky Butt’s performances too. England’s cricket team have had a number of batsmen who have struggled for runs when handed the responsibility. Atherton had a period of struggle as did Vaughan which many attributed to their mind being preoccupied with tactics and so on.
Some have flourished by comparison, Colin Hendry was a natural leader, and raised his game as captain. I even think David Beckham improved given the responsibility of England’s captaincy. Though that hasn’t exactly been the case in Los Angeles.