Celtic on lookout as Mowbray reign ends

TONY MOWBRAY’S troubled nine-month reign as Celtic boss was at an end yesterday after the club announced his departure.

Ex-skipper Paul Lambert has been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite but stated recently he has no desire to return to the east end of Glasgow.

Mowbray’s exit followed Wednesday’s 4-0 SPL thrashing at St Mirren, which left the Hoops 10 points behind arch-rivals Rangers having played two games more.

It is believed 46-year-old Mowbray met chief executive Peter Lawwell at Celtic’s Lennoxtown training ground yesterday morning when the decision was taken to end his short tenure.

Assistant manager Mark Venus and Peter Grant have also lost their jobs, with Neil Lennon appointed interim manager.

Chairman John Reid said: “On behalf of the board and everyone at Celtic Football Club, I would like to offer Tony Mowbray my thanks and sincere best wishes for the future.

“Tony is held in great affection by Celtic fans and it is obviously with great disappointment that we make today’s statement.

“During his period here, Tony has always acted with great dignity as he has done today.

“We are all Celtic supporters, faithful through and through, Tony included.

“We are all disappointed at the way things have gone this season.

“However, as supporters, we will collectively build again to reestablish the club to its pre-eminent position within Scottish football.”

Wednesday night’s defeat was the 13th of Mowbray’s reign after he succeeded Gordon Strachan in the summer. Mowbray joined from West Brom, who reportedly secured around £2m in compensation for his services.

However, the former Hibernian manager was not Celtic’s first choice, with Owen Coyle turning the job down and Roberto Martinez also reportedly approached.

Mowbray was charged with bringing an attractive brand of football to Parkhead, which fans felt was lacking towards the end of Strachan’s reign.

Reacting to his departure, Mowbray said: “Naturally, I am very disappointed to be leaving Celtic.

“I am very proud to have not only managed but also played for a club with such great tradition and that has tremendous roots in football history.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of the players and also to my staff who supported me so well. Finally, I would like to wish the club every success in the future.”

Former Celtic winger Davie Provan fears the club could struggle to find a top-class manager to replace Mowbray who would meet the high expectations of the supporters.

Provan pointed out that previous targets Owen Coyle and Roberto Martinez also turned down the job before Mowbray was installed in the hotseat last summer.

He said: “It’s no surprise that Celtic have taken the action they have. Now it’s just a matter of where they go from here.

“I think it’s fair to say it’s a job, at the moment, that does not hold the type of appeal that it had when Martin O’Neill came to Glasgow.

“As recently as the summer, you need to remember that both Owen Coyle and Roberto Martinez were approached to come to Celtic and neither wanted to take up the challenge.

“It’s going to be pretty difficult for Celtic to identify a top-class manager to fill Tony Mowbray’s position.

“I think it’s going to be a difficult appointment for Celtic in terms of getting the right type of manager, given the expectations of the Celtic support.”

Asked what Lennon’s immediate task is, Provan added: “Just to bring a bit of feelgood factor back to the club.

“I don’t think Neil would be a serious candidate for the job in the long term, although I would hope he could become part of the coaching staff.

“Celtic have time on their side but they don’t want to leave it for too long.”