Newly official Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach June Jones was very complimentary of Johnny Manziel on Monday, the day the Tiger-Cats announced they've removed the interim tag from his title.

"There's no question in my mind that Johnny Manziel can still play football," Jones told Tatti & Louie B. on TSN 1150 Radio in Hamilton. "Up here in Canada, he'd be pretty special."

"I worked Johnny out a couple times and to be quite honest I was more impressed with his arm strength than I was when I watched him play and I already thought that he was one of those special guys."

Jones stopped short of saying Manziel will be part of the team next season, saying it is a decision the whole club has to be on board with.

"I think we have a timeframe that we’ll make some decisions on and that’s a decision that the whole club has to feel positive about," Jones said. 

The Ticats hold Manziel's CFL rights and he is eligible to play in the CFL starting next season so long as he meets certain conditions. Ticats vice-president of Football Operations Kent Austin told TSN 1150 the deadline to reach a deal with Manziel has been extended to January.

Manziel's domestic assault charges stemming from an incident in 2016 were recently dismissed.

Ticats starter Jeremiah Masoli is a free agent but TSN's Dave Naylor believes the Jones news Monday should secure his return to the team. Hamilton also has high-profile backup Zach Collaros under contract for next season.