Mowbray Has To Get Off To A Flying Start

Taking over a club like Celtic means an instant winning formula is required but the demands of the Champions League make a flying start even more imperative.

When Rangers pipped their bitter rivals to the SPL title they also condemned them to the qualifying rounds of the Champions League- a perilous assignment for Rangers, Celtic and Hearts over the past decade and one that just became tougher.

The new arrangements for Champions League qualifying opens up the route for champion teams. That means there is no open draw as before. Five places in the group stages are reserved for champion sides from smaller nations and only five are available to 'best-placed' teams from the bigger leagues in Europe,

That means that Celtic become one of fifteen sides from Europe's top leagues scrapping for five berths. For Tony Mowbray's side to get to the groupp stage it means two ties against excellent opposition- almost before the new manager has his feet under the table.

The first leg of the Third Qualifying round will take place as early as 28th or 29th July. The sort of opponent that Celtic might face could include UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting Lisbon or Steve McClaren's FC Twente.At the new play-off stage, which comes next if Celtic come through, Arsenal, Fiorentina, Stuttgart, Lyon and Athletico Madrid join the draw.

No doubt the chance to be involved in the biggest competition is partly what drew Tony Mowbray away from West Bromwich Albion but these tough ties could have a massive impact on Celtic's season and his tenure as manager.

Assistant Manager Mark Venus has pointed out the dangers of speedily recruiting players just for the qualifiers but Shunsuke Nakamura has left the club and players like Paul Hartley are at the end of contracts.

It's a big and early test of Tony Mowbray's abilities, as it's likely he won't have his full squad in place by 28th July but also a major opportunity to prove to Celtic fans that the right man is at the helm.

Hoops fans are aware that the new boss has been put into a pressure situation and most would understand a defeat in the qualifier to a top club but they will want to see that the team are competitive, organised and playing in a composed style.