Mowbray relishing prospect of Celtic debut

July 28, 2009

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray admited on Tuesday he is relishing the prospect of taking charge of his first competitive match in Wednesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Dinamo Moscow.

Mowbray arrived at Parkhead in June as successor to Gordon Strachan and the former West Bromwich Albion boss gets his first taste of life under the microscope in Glasgow when Dinamo visit Scotland for the first leg of the third qualifying round tie.

Failure to reach the Champions League group stage would be a major blow to Mowbray’s reign before the domestic season has even begun, but despite the pressure to succeed in Europe, Mowbray can’t wait to get started.

The Hoops go in to the game as Wembley Cup winners after convincing victories over Egyptian side Al Ahly and Tottenham over the weekend.

In the wake of an earlier friendly win against Brisbane Roar in Australia and a draw with Cardiff in Wales, with no goals conceded, optimism is growing among the Celtic faithful.

That is despite their side’s lack of competitive action in contrast to their Russian opponents, who are 15 games in to their season.

“When I watch the team train, I think ‘excited’ is a decent way to put it,” Mowbray said. “There is a real professionalism about the players here, they have as good a focus as any players that I’ve ever worked with.

“They are sharp and ready and looking forward to the challenge. We have some talented individuals and I have no fears.”

Mowbray added: “If I was to give you an adjective for Moscow, I would say that they are a dangerous side.

“They are a capable team who play to definite shape, they are a dangerous counter-attacking side and, yet, in possession of the ball, they are disciplined and organised.

“I don’t see any Lionel Messis in there, I don’t see any great individual flair but I see a well-structured, organised football team who know what they are all about.”

GLASGOW (AFP)

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