mcmanus: we'll help new bhoys settle in

Gregor Kyle
LAST Thursday proved to be a busy one for Celtic as three players arrived to join Andreas Hinkel and Georgios Samaras at the club.

Middlesbrough striker Ben Hutchinson, midfielder Koki Mizuno and Dundee United captain, Barry Robson, all signed on deadline day.

The new Bhoys will give the squad a boost for the second half of the season and Stephen McManus, as club captain, knows that one of his responsibilities will be to ensure they all settle into life at Celtic.

“In fairness, that’s just what you do as a guy and if it was me going to another club you’d hope that someone welcomed you in the same manner,” McManus told the Celtic View.

“But you want to welcome new players into the squad and you try and do that as best as you can as captain.

“The new boys have settled in well, although I really feel for Andreas because he’s picked up an injury and has only been able to train with us a few times.

“But I think he’s shown already that he’s going to be a good player for us and it will be good to see the new boys settling in and getting involved as well.”

Mizuno, Hutchinson and Samaras are less familiar to the Celtic captain and he admits that he is looking forward to playing alongside each of them, but Barry Robson is an entirely different prospect.

Having played against Robson in the SPL, McManus is well aware of his talents and believes that the club has acquired an experienced player, with real drive and determination at the very peak of his career.

“Barry will be a great addition to our side and you can see from his performances for Dundee United and Caley Thistle that he has a bit of steel about him,” said McManus.

“He’s also a good player and is coming here at a great age. He’s experienced, has played at a good level and hopefully moving here will allow him to play at that next level.

“But when you play against someone in the SPL you can see exactly how good a player they are and he’ll be a great boost to the squad and will be great to have here.

“January’s proved to be pretty exciting month in a lot of ways and we’re really looking forward to the second half of the season.”

Read the full and exclusive interview with Stephen McManus, along with interviews with the four new Bhoys - Georgios Samaras, Koki Mizuno, Barry Robson and Ben Hutchinson - ONLY in this week's Celtic View. On sale from tomorrow, Wednesday, February 6.

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