Mowbray reveals long-term plans as Bhoys need revamp

TONY MOWBRAY is looking past the current turmoil at Parkhead to a time when Celtic can challenge Manchester United at Old Trafford on equal terms.

The 1-0 defeat by Hamburg in the Europa League on Thursday night left the Parkhead club bottom of Group C with one point from three games and facing the prospect of a European exit before the end of the year.

Running parallel to their poor results in Europe, indifferent form in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League has seen Celtic lose their lead at the top of the table to Old Firm rivals Rangers.

Mowbray has questioned his players’ quality in recent weeks and that criticism was especially stinging after the defeat by Hamburg when he warned that he will get rid of those squad members who do not come up to scratch.

However, speaking in less animated tones in the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’ trip to play Hamilton in the SPL, the Celtic boss revealed one of his visions.

“It’s right for me to want to improve the team and improve the players so that three years down the line, when we go to Old Trafford, they are worried, they are concerned.

“They are not making a few changes because they genuinely feel this team can come and win. So that’s what I want to try and build.”

Mowbray back-tracked a little on his threat of making wholesale changes in the new year, claiming that he has more than enough quality in his present squad to recapture the SPL title from Ibrox.

“We can sit here and wait with bated breath for January but January can come and go and nothing can happen,” the former West Brom boss said.

“It depends on the availability of footballers.

“Players might not be available or affordable.