Celtic Set Their Sights On West Brom's Tony Mobray

West Brom Ask For Two Million Before Talking

Celtic's search for a new manager heated up this week when they officially approached recently-relegated West Bromwich Albion to talk to manager Tony Mobray.

Confirmation of the approach was given on West Brom's website where a statement said that "After two weeks of media speculation regarding the future of Tony Mowbray, chairman Jeremy Peace has announced that Albion are fighting to keep their manager.

"Peace today confirmed that Celtic have finally made an official approach to speak to Mowbray about their vacant managerial position."

However, their hopes of a quick decision were dashed when the Coca Cola Championship outfit demanded agreement on a £2 million compensation package before they would allow Celtic to talk to the former-Bhoy.

West Brom's chairman also stated that he "made it absolutely clear that Celtic's approach was not welcome because we have an ongoing project at Albion in which Tony is an integral part.

"Tony's style of play is a key factor in that project and the supporters have very much bought into it, as everyone saw by the terrific reception the fans gave Tony and the players after our final home game against Liverpool."

Several ex-Celtic players and coaches expressed satifaction with the club's target with some suggesting that the compensation package was simply the price of doing business in the modern managerial market.

Former Celtic striker John Hartson told BBC Scotland that Mowbray would be a "perfect" appointment: "When I was asked last week I said Tony Mowbray was the man. He's a fantastic guy with a great temperament and is fantastic coach. He can deal with players and, for me, he's definitely the right man for the job.

"He loves footballers to just go and enjoy the game. He gives you lots of confidence. It would be great news for Celtic fans."

In other news in the Scottish Premier League, the BBC reported on Tuesday that Setanta faced bankrupcy "within days" unless someone can be found to providing funding so that it can pay the £30 million that the company is said to owe to the English Premier League. This is on top of the £3 million it already owes the SPL in television rights fees.

Reports suggested that if Setanta defaults on the payments then another broadcaster, perhaps ESPN would enter the fray and bid for the rights to Premier League games themselves.