STEPHEN McMANUS was on the verge of forcing his way into the Scotland team under Walter Smith ... only to see the national coach quit to join Rangers.

Now the Celtic defender is aiming to become a regular at international level by impressing the Hampden hot seat's latest incumbent, Alex McLeish.

McManus' solid displays at the heart of the Celtic defence over the past 18 months have quite rightly brought him into serious contention to secure a regular role for his country.

Smith was certainly thinking along those lines before moving on to Rangers. After naming McManus in a couple of his squads, the defender eventually made his debut as a late substitute in the 2-0 defeat in Ukraine.

Although Davie Weir and Steven Pressley had formed a strong partnership which was the foundation for an impressive start to the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, Smith realised that McManus had attributes he couldn't ignore.

And the chances are McLeish, who witnessed some of the Celtic player's better displays last term at close quarters in Old Firm games, as Rangers manager, is likely to be of the same thinking.

The 24-year-old certainly hopes so. McManus no longer likes to look upon himself as a rookie and is keen to start winning caps.

"You want to look back when you've hung up the boots and reflect on your career with pride," he explained. "And I hope to have as many caps to my name as possible at that stage.

"Right now, I have only one cap - when I played something like two minutes against the Ukraine. I've been in a few squads, at gatherings such as the one we are enjoying just now under Alex McLeish, and I enjoy being involved in the Scotland set-up.

"Like everyone else here, I want to play for my country.

"I'm 24-years-old now, I'm not that young and as a player you want to play in all the big games. There is no higher level than international competitions, so that is where I want to play.

"I'm playing regularly for Celtic, and if I keep working hard and performing well for my club then I hope to be given opportunities to play for Scotland."

McManus met big Eck in an official capacity for the first time at Turnberry on Sunday, along with the rest of the Scotland squad.

McLeish carved out his name as an aggressive stopper at Aberdeen, and never let his country down. McManus hopes he can help him do the same.

The Hoops vice-skipper said: "When you are a young guy trying to make a name for yourself then you have got to listen. I have, and I think you can never stop taking advice on board.

"I know Alex McLeish was a top-class defender during his own playing days. If he can help me, then great."

McMANUS admitted he'd had few dealings with big Eck before the squad gathering on Sunday night.

"Sure, I met him after games last season when we would shake hands and wish each other all the best or whatever, but I'm looking forward to working closely with him now as Scotland manager."

Gordon Strachan's decision to bring McManus back at the first available opportunity after he missed a few weeks with a groin injury proves how important he has become to the runaway SPL leaders.

With a Champions League showdown against Italian giants AC Milan on the horizon, the Parkhead gaffer is keen to have his key defender in tip-top shape for his side's two biggest games of the season to date.

And it's from playing against formidable opponents like Manchester United in the group stage that McManus hopes will help him make the step-up to international level.

It's the same story for his Hoops team-mate Gary Caldwell, currently on the injury list.

The likable big defender said: "I'm playing at my club week-in, week-out and being brutally honest we are not that young, we are 23-24. It's not 18 or 19-year-olds trying to learn their trade.

"There are a lot of guys in the squad with plenty experience, which has got to help your case.

"The Champions League is a fantastic competition and you look forward to testing yourself against the world-class strikers. It is much the same at international level.

"The guys have played really well since the qualifying campaign kicked off, and the fans have got right behind the team, which has been brilliant. I've not been involved so much yet, but I hope I will be in the future."