Stephen McManus explains Celtic B Team’s raison d’être | OneFootball

Stephen McManus revealed that his primary focus as Celtic B manager is nurturing young talent and guiding them towards first-team opportunities…

Shay Given and Stephen McManus, with the English and Scottish League Cups at Celtic Park on 12 June 2025 ahead of the Celtic v Newcastle Utd friendly on 19 July 2025. Photo The Celtic Star.

McManus alongside former Newcastle skipper Shay Given spoke to The Celtic Star and other fan media outlets on Thursday morning at Celtic Park ahead of promoting next month’s ’Adidas Cup’ trophy fixture between the two sides.

The ex-Hoops defender has led the club’s B team squad for the past three seasons. Last season, McManus guided Celtic’s academy squad to a runners-up position in the Lowland League, Scotland’s fifth division.

In Thursday’s media conference ahead of the Brendan Rodgers’ side’s friendly against Newcastle United next month, McManus was asked about his main priorities as B team manager: “It always remains the same,” he said.

Shay Given and Stephen McManus, with the English and Scottish League Cups at Celtic Park on 12 June 2025 ahead of the Celtic v Newcastle Utd friendly on 19 July 2025. Photo The Celtic Star.

“Our job is to try and develop young players to get them into our first team. It never changes. For us, it’s not results on the paramount. They’re not the most important thing. That’s what the manager and the first team staff has.”

“Our job is to develop young players to try and get them ready for first team football. Hopefully it’s in our first team or it’s somebody else’s first team. That’s what we try and do.”

“We try and bridge the gap. The biggest jump in our football club is between the first team and the B team. There’s absolutely no doubt. So our job is to try and develop the players. Again, we trust experiences that we’ve had the benefit. For us, we’ve been that young player.”

All away tickets for this pre-season encounter on Saturday 19 July against Eddie Howe’s men at Celtic Park have been sold, ensuring a strong turnout from the North East of England at Paradise.

Celtic supporters are now able to buy tickets through the official Celtic FC website’s general sale – you can purchase tickets HERE.

Conor Spence

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