Mowbray promises evolution, not revolution

New Celtic boss Tony Mowbray has assured Hoops players he will not be taking a “big axe” to the Parkhead squad.

Mowbray met the media at Celtic Park this morning after being confirmed as Gordon Strachan’s successor and he outlined his plans for the future.

Celtic fans will hope to see some changes in the squad that lost the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title to Rangers last season and a host of players have already been linked with moving in and out of the club in recent weeks.

Mowbray, who claimed he was “comfortable” with the budget handed to him by chief executive Peter Lawwell, is tasked with bringing flair back to the Parkhead side which, according to many supporters, was missing under Strachan.

However, the former Celtic defender, who will be joined by his assistant Mark Venus and former Hoops team-mate Peter Grant as coach, warned there will be evolution rather than revolution in the east end of Glasgow.

“I’m not coming here with a big axe to swing and cut everything out,” Mowbray said.

“I don’t want to sit here and say we need a new player in this position or that position. That is disrespectful to the squad.

“There is a natural evolution of a football team over time.

“When I was at West Brom, within two and a half years, there was only two players left.

“Hopefully the supporters in time, hopefully a short period of time, will see the stamp of how I like the game to be played coming across.

“Obviously the team must continue to win and be successful within that.”

Mowbray added: “I’m very comfortable with budgets.

“This is not a football club who is going to spend way over its budget and put its financial future in jeopardy.

“But we must try to entertain. A lot of managers say you have to win and that’s all that people want but I think you must try to entertain and win as well.

“Hopefully, as we move, on Celtic supporters will see us win with a bit of style.”

Mowbray’s most immediate job will be to get his squad ready for the first of possibly two tricky Champions League qualifiers at the end of the July.

The former Hibernian boss, however, looked forward to a time when the Parkhead side would again be a team feared in Europe – and will use Champions League holders Barcelona as his inspiration.

“The team is what it is at the moment,” he said.

“Within six weeks, I am not going to change the whole philosophy of the playing style and the mindset of the footballers.

“A lot of the players have a lot of European experience and we will have to draw on that in six weeks time and try and set the team up to try and come through some qualifying games.

“I would like to build a team that can compete at all levels, to be feared and respected, not only in the Scottish game but in Europe.

“And that’s a process that you have got to build.

“There are some major powers in the world with some major resources but what I’ve got to try and do is to put together a team that can punch above its weight on the European stage.

“And those European nights at Celtic Park, when some of the bigger sides come to play, they’ve got to fear us a little.”

“There are elements within the game that say if you are not six foot four, as strong as an ox and can run like the wind, then you can’t be a footballer,” Mowbray continued.

“But you watch (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi, (Lionel) Messi and great players like that.

“Without trying to write headlines, that is what inspires me.

“I need to be inspired as well and the supporters need inspiring.

“When I watch Spain, Barcelona and great technical teams and players, I try and recreate that where possible.

“I can’t make a Lionel Messi out of a player but what I am saying that the best football teams are a unit, a group of individual players who understand their role within the team.

“That is only achieved on the training ground and that’s what we hope to work towards.”

Mowbray revealed coach Neil Lennon, who was part of the Strachan regime but had been promised a role at the club by Lawwell, will initially help him with the first-team squad.

He said: “I think it is important to get off on the right foot with footballers, to try and find out what can make them tick.

“Within a dressing room with 30 players, some will do anything for you, some will be moody, some will sulk, so I need to get to know their personalities very quickly and Neil will be invaluable.

“As we move on, his role will evolve in what he does and where he goes.”