Mowbray leaves Celtic

Tony Mowbray's troubled nine-month reign as Celtic boss was at an end on Thursday after the club announced his departure.

The 46-year-old's exit followed Wednesday night's 4-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League thrashing at St Mirren, which left the Hoops 10 points behind arch-rivals Rangers having played two games more. Assistant manager Mark Venus and Peter Grant have also lost their jobs, with Neil Lennon appointed interim manager.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "This is a very sad day for everyone at Celtic. Tony is a very fine man and someone who I know is passionate about the club he served so well as a player. Clearly, we have had a difficult season and results have not been as we would have hoped.

"Tony is equally disappointed at some of our results this season but, working so closely with him, I know that throughout his period as manager he has always given the club his total and absolute commitment.

"Tony will always maintain a strong affection for Celtic and I am sure he will always be highly thought of within the Celtic family. He is a man who demonstrates decency and integrity in everything he does.

"I have enjoyed an excellent relationship with him and I certainly wish Tony, Mark Venus and Peter Grant all the very best for the future."

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

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan said: "It is disappointing that Celtic have parted company with Tony despite being in charge for less than a year, especially when taking into account that the club still have a great chance of silverware this season having reached the semi-finals of the Active Nation Scottish Cup.

"I am positive that a manager of Tony's calibre, with his success at WBA and Hibernian, and with an overall managerial win ratio of a soaring 45% in 297 matches in charge, will be back in management in the not too distant future."