No worries: Tony Mowbray says he is focused simply on winning matches for Celtic. Pic: ©STV
Tony Mowbray insists his job to change the fortunes of Celtic is on course, despite the possibility their season could be over come Saturday night. Kilmarnock stand in Mowbray’s way of reaching the Scottish Cup semi-finals, as Celtic try to salvage some silverware from a season which has seen them slip 13 points off the pace in the SPL, as well exiting early from the Co-operative Insurance Cup and the Europa League.
The Celtic boss has been criticised by sections of his own support for making wholesale changes in the January transfer window, during which Mowbray made 18 changes to his squad.
The loss of previous key men such as Gary Caldwell, Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald were replaced by eight winter newcomers, including a trio of loan signings.
Robbie Keane was amongst the arrivals but even he has failed to inspire Celtic to catch Rangers in the SPL title race. Despite that, Mowbray says he doesn’t believe he’s made any mistakes and says his ambitions remain unchanged.
“I wouldn’t change,” said Mowbray. “I’m fine with the changes I’ve made. I know where I’m going with the team.
“If I turned the clock back, hopefully we’d lose fewer key players and maybe we’d have a bit more good fortune.
“But I am comfortable with things. I am building a team that can give this club long-term success.”
Defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday would all but end Celtic’s hopes of winning a major honour this campaign and would undoubtedly heap greater pressure onto the Celtic boss, who has seen his future come under the spotlight in recent months.
Despite that, Mowbray says he isn’t thinking about what could lie ahead and says his focus is purely on doing what is necessary for Celtic to win games.
“Pressure on football mangers has always been there and the bigger the club, the greater the pressure,” Mowbray said. “I have my own concerns and worries in life. In football, I’m here to do a job and build a team,
“I am comfortable with my situation. Everyone else seems concerned about it but I get on with the job. And that job is winning.”
