IT'S amazing, the things you can pick up on holiday.
In Stuart McCall's case that amounted to a 6ft 2in, 30-year-old centre-half.The Motherwell manager didn't even know he wanted one. He wasn't looking for someone for the middle of his defence but became intrigued when he heard that Stephen McManus might be available. So while he was on holiday in Florida he decided to phone McManus's agent and was surprised to learn that the player was in Florida too, and only five minutes away. "We met and a conversation that was supposed to last 15 minutes lasted for an hour and a half, talking football," said McCall. "He might have got grief from his missus for breaking the family holiday. Mine was pleased to see the back of me."
Motherwell are about to confirm the signing of James McFadden – only the paperwork has to be completed – while 23-year-old Estonian striker Henri Anier from Viking Stavanger could come on loan if he impresses in a friendly against Morecambe tomorrow. That would bring the total of summer arrivals to eight. "James said all along he would be signing and it's a relief to get it done," said McCall, who will today learn who Motherwell face in the Europa League third qualifying round, as Uefa hold the draw at lunchtime.
"I didn't think we would see James back at the club [he was there for the second half of last season] but he's just as hungry as he was last year – he has a fire in his belly. A couple of clubs in England wanted to take him for a look but it's great for the SPFL that he's back here again. We've lost players in the league this summer such as Johnny Russell, Michael Higdon and Leigh Griffiths. It's great to bring back players such as 'Faddy', Stephen McManus, Kevin Thomson and Barry Robson.
"I wasn't looking for a central defender," said McCall. "We had lost two full-backs, Tom Hateley and Steven Saunders. But I was interested in 'Mick' when I heard he could be coming back up the road because of his pedigree and leadership qualities. I also spoke with Gordon Strachan about him when we were in Croatia. Mick's a good pro and a leader, and has been there, seen it and done it. He has also captained Celtic and Scotland: I'm absolutely delighted he's here."
McManus was a first-team player at Celtic between 2003 and 2010 before Strachan signed him for Middlesbrough. His form faded there and he was loaned to Bristol City and slipped out of the Scotland team, winning the last of his 26 caps against Spain in 2011. He trained with Hibernian and considered a move to Easter Road but kept his options open and was more impressed by what he heard from McCall in their holiday chat. "You need to go with your gut feeling and mine told me to come here," he said. "I really enjoyed my time with Hibs and was impressed by their facilities. But the manager was a big factor in my decision to join Motherwell."
The contract is for one season but his career could have many years to run. "I don't know if these are my prime years. I think 30 is still young when you look at Davie Weir, who played until he was 40. My aim is to play for as long as I can. I haven't come just to run down my career. Anyone who knows me realises I'm quite a driven person, so I want to be successful and leave a good memory for the Motherwell fans."
McManus always will be linked to Celtic, of course. He won three SPL titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups under Martin O'Neill and Strachan, and was also appointed as captain at Parkhead.
"I won't be the type of player who harps on about the past. When my career is finished I know I will have been fortunate. Even if I'd only played for Celtic for five minutes I would have been over the moon. But it's all about me being a Motherwell player now. I don't want to be remembered here as an ex-Celtic player, I want to be looked upon as a well-respected Motherwell player. It's a completely different challenge for me. Growing up at Celtic, the demands are that you win leagues and cups, and play in Europe every year. Personally, I think life will be harder for me at Motherwell but it's something I'm really looking forward to. I'm starting with a freshness. You're not as guarded as a person [outside the Old Firm goldfish bowl], which is new for me."
A certain Motherwell-Celtic game from his past was tentatively raised yesterday, namely the day in May, 2005, when the league trophy slipped through Celtic's hands and instead was taken, by helicopter, to Rangers. Celtic lost to two late goals at Fir Park while Rangers won at Hibs to snatch the championship.
"I was in the squad; there were three of us that weren't stripped. I've never been so happy to be not playing in a game. We were in the stand, then the dressing room after it with the rest of the squad. From a Celtic point of view it was terrible. How many years ago was that? Eight? Jeez, that makes you feel old."
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