Celtic contact West Brom for Mowbray

WEST BROM chairman Jeremy Peace has made it clear to Celtic that they will not be able to prise away manager Tony Mowbray on the cheap.

Celtic have finally approached Albion for permission to speak to Mowbray as they seek a successor for Gordon Strachan. But Peace, in addition to being keen to keep Mowbray, has stressed that Celtic will have to pay the going rate for someone of Mowbray’s qualities if he is to leave The Hawthorns.

It is understood the Baggies are looking for over €2 million in compensation for the 43-year-old Mowbray if it becomes clear he wants to take on the challenge at Parkhead.

“I made it absolutely clear that Celtic’s approach was not welcome, because we have an ongoing project at Albion in which Tony is an integral part,” said Peace.

“We inserted a compensation fee when Tony signed a new contract 16 months ago to ensure the club would be suitably recompensed in the event of any other club seeking his services.

Meanwhile, Hibernian have confirmed John Hughes as their new manager. Hughes has signed a three-year contract after quitting fellow Premier League side Falkirk. His assistant Brian Rice is expected to join him.

And Wigan chairman Dave Whelan expects to name Roberto Martinez as the club’s new manager tomorrow. Martinez (35) is poised to leave Swansea and succeed Steve Bruce, who has moved to Sunderland. “Everything is almost agreed, the only reason it has not been signed up is because I’m in Majorca,” said Whelan.