Celtic’s search for a new manager suffered a blow on Tuesday as the Glasgow club were told to keep their hands off Tony Mowbray and Mark McGhee.
Albion chief Mowbray and Motherwell boss McGhee are among the favourites to succeed Gordon Strachan, who quit Parkhead on Monday following his team’s failure to retain the Scottish Premier League title.
Celtic are believed to be considering a formal approach for Mowbray, who spent four years with Celtic in the early 1990s.
But Albion issued a statement on Tuesday which insisted Mowbray would still be in charge when their Championship campaign starts in August.
“Tony Mowbray is under contract for the next two years and we fully expect him to be our manager next season,” the statement read.
Motherwell chairman John Boyle is also adamant he will do everthing in his power to convince McGhee, a former Celtic striker, to remain at Fir Park.
Boyle told Sky Sports: “Nobody from Celtic, or any other team for that matter, has attempted to speak to me and I haven’t spoken to Mark McGhee.
“But we will do everything we can to hold on to our manager, he’s a great manager, a wonderful asset to our team.
“He’s been a great motivational figure over the last two seasons and anything we can do we will do to keep him.”
Meanwhile, Celtic captain Stephen McManus admitted he had nothing but respect for Strachan’s achievements at Parkhead.
“The gaffer has been a massive influence on my career and I have a lot to thank him for,” Scotland defender McManus told Celtic View.
“He gave me an extended run in the first team when he arrived in 2005 and he appointed me captain a couple of years later.
“The players are all sad to see the manager go because we’ve had a lot of success under him over the last four years. It’s been an incredible time in our careers.
“It’s been a great four years at Celtic. He’s been different class and his record speaks for itself. Nobody can knock his achievements at Celtic. He’s been superb.”
