Stephen McManus anticipates a reawakening of Rangers this season, inspired by the coach who persuaded him not to leave Parkhead as he stagnated in the reserve team.

Kenny McDowall was a surprise addition to Walter Smith's backroom staff six months ago, the highly regarded former St Mirren striker electing to cross the Glasgow divide for a fresh challenge and an elevation to third in command. Already, his training methods have been acclaimed by the Rangers captain, Barry Ferguson, among others.

McManus still regards McDowall as a friend and confidant and revealed he owes him a debt of gratitude for shaping his character and convincing him to fight for his place having all but given up on his dream.

Unable to make an impression on Martin O'Neill, he was poised to leave until McDowall's sage advice. Under Gordon Strachan, his rise has been meteoric: a cornerstone of Celtic's two championship wins, an established Scotland internationalist and now likely to be awarded the Celtic captaincy.

While acknowledging the need for a greater challenge from Rangers next season, McManus believes that McDowall's coaching expertise will engender a vast improvement in their rivals.

"I think it's about time there was a close title run-in," he said. "Everybody is hoping that's what they get this year. Celtic need a strong Rangers and I think it works both ways. I can only talk about what's happening at our place where the new lads have been great. They've got a will to win and they're hungry.

"When you've got three guys like Walter Smith, Ally McCoist and Kenny, you know they're not going to have a team with underachievers."

His relationship with McDowall, a mentor since he left school, has not been compromised by the coach's defection. "I still speak to Kenny quite a bit," said McManus. "To me, he's more of a friend than anything else and that won't change.

"Kenny was great for me. I joined Celtic straight from school at 15 and he helped develop me into the type of person I am today. If anything happens in life, even away from football, I know there is someone I can trust, which is far more important than anything else.

"Fact is, had it not been for him I'd have left Celtic; I've no doubts about that. There is a respect there for each other: I know how well thought of he is there and he thinks the same about me. When he left Celtic, I wished him all the best and nothing has changed between us."

Few of the influential figures in McManus' career will be prouder at the near-certainty of him inheriting the captaincy after the departure of Neil Lennon. He has led the team during most of their pre-season games this season, sharing responsibilities not quite evenly with the most serious challenger for the role, Steven Pressley. Yesterday, the former Hearts captain gave McManus his seal of approval but the player himself has yet to to receive verbal indication from Gordon Strachan.

"The manager obviously has an idea," he said. "There are maybe three or four players he's considering and he's still to make his mind up. That's fine. He'll let us know in his own time and, no matter who he chooses to be the next captain of this club, he will be the right man.

"It would be a great honour for anyone but I'll keep working hard and keep my feet on the ground. The manager is a private person but none of us are worrying about it. It's not about individuals at this time; we've got new players and it's about them gelling. I'm the type of person I am; I'm not going to change whatever happens."

McManus's spokesman duties extended to an entertaining Q&A session at Niketown in downtown Denver. Along with Scott Brown, Chris Killen and Landon Donovan, the captain of the MLS All-Stars team, McManus was a natural in front of an inquisitive audience of expatriate Celtic fans.

He has taken it upon himself to assist and help the new signings, Scott McDonald, Massimo Donati, Killen, Brown and, in the short-term at least, Andrea Capone to integrate. He was reminded of the enormity of Celtic's global brand when presented with hundreds of fans in the US.

"I don't think you realise how big the club is until you come away to places like this," he admitted, with Denver's population including 40,000 Irish.

"When you grow up supporting the club you've got an idea of the size but it's not until you come to America or go to places like Hong Kong that it strikes you. I actually think it's great for the new players, a trip like this, because they realise how big a club they've signed for. Hopefully that will stand them in good stead."

He has been impressed with their contribution so far but, from his own experience, cautioned his new team-mates that it requires more than footballing ability to prosper at Parkhead. "When you come to a place like Celtic, you could be the best player in the world but if you've not got the right mentality and the right character, you will not be very successful."