Tony Mowbray has said that he will continue to look for quality players and increase competition as he seeks to build the perfect squad at Parkhead. The Celtic manager said that few managers ever reached perfection but that would not stop him working hard and making tough decisions to put together a successful group of players.

Mowbray has been revamping the Celtic squad during the January window and added Morten Rasmussen to his list of signings on Tuesday, following the capture of Ki Sung-Yeung, Jos Hooiveld and Thomas Rogne. Steven McManus and Danny Fox may be heading for the exit door, with Barry Robson, Willo Flood, Chris Killen and Gary Caldwell already having moved on this month.

Mowbray admitted he was taking a gamble with such a large turnover of players in a short timespan but said that no changes were risk-free.

“Whenever you change your team it’s a gamble,” he admitted.

“I could sit on my hands and do nothing or I can get started. I don't think any manager is ever totally settled and happy.

"You are constantly trying to add and improve to increase competition in all areas of the pitch. If good players become available then it is very unlikely that we will turn them down. We are working very hard to do that (add more) but it is never easy; there are a lot of parts to come together."

Mowbray said that in an ideal world he would have double the size of squad to choose from but said that reality meant changes had to be made. The Celtic boss added that when he spent money it was likely he would move players on to try to balance the books.

“I would like to have 50 players here and more choices but we haven’t got many choices,” he said.

“The day I have 20 to 22 players who I love to bits and can play in every position is what you search for. But I don’t think many managers ever get to football Utopia but I strive for it every day.

“Sometimes it might not make sense in bringing someone in or letting somebody go but I’m just trying to build a squad that is deep and quality filled. I would never put this club in trouble and I don’t stomp around demanding cash.

“I try to get something back if we spend.”

Celtic could take in funds with which to add further signings if the transfers of McManus and Fox go through in the next couple of days. Burnley have already made an offer for left-back Fox, with Middlesbrough showing an interest in adding club captain McManus to their side.