There are many fans who, for many different reasons, don't think Stephen McManus should be the captain of Celtic. Some don't think he's good enough as a player to justify a place in the team every week whilst others don't think he possesses the qualities required of a leader. There's one way Mick could silence all of the critics and that would be for him to continue to lift trophies with the regularity he's shown so far.
This is his second major prize since he took over the captain's mantle from Neil Lennon and it now sits proudly alongside the SPL Champions award in the Celtic Park trophy room. And the captain wants more. "You want to win as many trophies as possible," said Mick. "It doesn't matter whether you are captain or not. Every player here wants to be successful. Obviously, as captain, it is special to lead your team-mates up the stairs and be the first person to hold the trophy aloft. I managed to do it last season when we won the league and to walk up the stairs at Hampden for the first time as captain was another special moment." 
"I remember being asked what type of captain I envisaged myself being when it was announced I was being made skipper." continued the big defender. "Obviously there are different types of captains. My answer was that I just wanted to be a winning captain. I wanted to get my hands on silverware. Lenny was the captain previously and I think he managed to win four trophies."
"I had a good chat with him when I took over the armband" added McManus. "He just stressed the importance of trying to get your hands on that first trophy and then build from there. Going further back, during my time at the club, there was Tom Boyd, Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara who all lifted silverware. That's what you've got to aim for when you are captain of a club like Celtic. You've got to be winning things."
Boyhood Hoops fan Mick has also captained the Scottish international side and the defender, a product of Celtic's youth academy, is now, alongside his friend John Kennedy, Celtic's longest serving player. McManus insists that he will always appreciate the privilege of being the captain of Celtic "There are extra responsibilities that come with the role, but it is a massive honour to be the captain of this football club." he said.
"I have been really lucky to captain my country at Hampden and I have been really lucky to captain my club side there as well. It's beyond my wildest dreams and hopefully there are more such occasions to come." added Celtic's number four. "I watched the 1989 Scottish Cup final as a kid and it's brilliant Celtic have finally won another derby final. These moments don't happen all the time, so it's important you enjoy and appreciate them."