Celtic

Former Celtic and Sunderland boss ‘steps away’ from EFL Championship club due to ‘serious illness

Published

1 year ago

February 19, 2024

Former Celtic and Sunderland boss ‘steps away’ from EFL Championship club due to ‘serious illness‘

The former Celtic boss will has confirmed he will take time away from management to undergo treatment.

EFL Championship outfit Birmingham City have confirmed former Celtic boss Tony Mowbray will ‘step away’ from management duties in order to undergo medical treatment for a ‘serious illness’.

Mowbray, who was in charge of the Hoops during the 2009-2010 season, has recently taken the reigns at the Midlands club following the departure of Wayne Rooney but has been forced to temporarily step down and the club say he will be absent from the touchline for around six to eight weeks.

Mowbray also enjoyed a successful spell in the Scottish Premiership with Hibernian between 2004 and 2006, winning the Scottish Football Writers’ Association manager of the year award in his first season at Easter Road. More recently he made the EFL Championship play offs with Sunderland last season.

The 60-year-old moved to the Blues just over a month a enjoyed a late win over former club Sunderland at the weekend as the Blues came back from 1-0 down to win the game late on. A 81st minute strike from Japanese forward Kōji Miyoshi sealed the win for his side, however, Mowbray has now confirmed he will take time away from football with his assistant Mark Venus placed in temporary charge until he has recovered.

“Following my recent LMA Health Assessment I have received a medical diagnosis that will require me to receive treatment. Undergoing treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the technical area as manager of Birmingham City Football Club,” explained the City boss.

“Until I return, my assistant manager, Mark Venus, will take temporary charge of the team, supported by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor. I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment. The club has been incredibly supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. I know that everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time” he added.

Birmingham City CEO Garry Cook added: “Our thoughts are with Tony, his wife Amber, and family. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming Tony back to the Club to continue the excellent work that he has started. In the meantime, Mark Venus, Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor, will be given all the support they need to lead the Club forward.”

Everyone at GlasgowWorld would like to wish Tony a speedy recovery.

One big Celtic problem has let Rangers flip the script as ‘unique’ title tussle takes another twist

The Light Blues are now in the driving seat having moved top of the table at the weekend.

Celtic and Rangers in action during recent Old Firm

Mark Wilson believes Celtic’s strongest team would still beat Rangers as he branded the title race shift this season ‘unique’.

Philippe Clement and his troops hit top spot after another weekend of drama in the Scottish Premiership. The Hoops lost a last-gasp leveller at home to Kilmarnock meaning a win for the Light Blues in Perth against St Johnstone would allow them to leapfrog Brendan Rodgers’ men in the standings and open a two point lead. They delivered with a 3-0 win as they continue their fine run of form under the Belgian boss.

It’s been quite the turnaround in fortunes after Rangers found themselves struggling in the early part of the season under Michael Beale and well off the pace. But since he was sacked and replaced by Clement, his side have shown a real consistency with only Celtic defeating them in the most recent derby and Aberdeen picking up a share of the spoils at Pittodrie. A combination of that run of form and a slump from the Hoops has opened up a real fight for the league crown this season with Rangers now in the driving seat.

The Glasgow rivals meet twice more this season with the next showdown at Ibrox on April 7 before a Parkhead battle when the league split fixtures are confirmed.

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There is plenty of football to be played between now and then but former Celtic defender Wilson is convinced his old club are still better player for player in an XI if they are able to name all their key men at one time.

He told Sky Sports: “I think with the strongest teams out I still believe Celtic have a better starting XI when everybody is fit and playing. But that has been the problem. Getting that starting XI all on the pitch at one time. If they can do that, and the players are up to match speed, I still believe Celtic have enough to win that game but again it is a long time to go before then.”

On the drama at the top and the huge changes in fortunes for the two clubs since the start of the season until now, he added: “It is quite a flip from the start of the season. You look back at September/October and the Rangers players found it incredibly difficult to play in that environment at Ibrox. The atmosphere from the support really took away from the players performing on the pitch.

“You get the sense of that happening here at Celtic Park. That is quite unique for that to happen in one season between two top teams. But the Celtic players have to suck it up and get on with it.

“They’ve been brought to the club not only for their ability but how they can deal with high pressure situations. In the coming weeks it is going to be high pressure every time they set on the pitch at Celtic Park.”

Under-fire Brendan Rodgers brutally told Celtic star isn’t even good enough for Kilmarnock

For months and months, Celtic fans have been seeing the writing on the wall and now reality has kicked the team right in the face.

One of the main talking points this season has been the recruitment under Brendan Rodgers, both in the summer and then the very little action concluded during the January transfer window.

There was that late loan move for Adam Idah from Norwich City on transfer deadline day, but the money the powers that be at Celtic did spend was £3 million on winger Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna.

It’s fair to say that life hasn’t started as well as the 24-year-old would have liked, but it’s not like he has walked into an environment where things are going well.

Either way, from what the versatile forward has showcased, it hasn’t impressed Stephen McGinn and he brutally stated that he wouldn’t even walk into Kilmarnock’s team ahead of Danny Armstrong and Matty Kennedy.

Nicolas Kuhn came off the bench during those dropped points against Killie, with Celtic-mad Stephen McGinn adding that his arrival last month was ‘strange’, as he told The Scottish Football Podcast.

Brendan Rodgers has started the club’s new face in one Premiership game this season, the abject display against Hibernian, but he was swiftly back on the bench over the weekend.

Nicolas Kuhn’s impact at Celtic so far…
“The wingers at the club aren’t suited to the way he wants to play,” said McGinn. “Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada, they did a great job with the way Ange Postecoglou wanted to play and the pace. The one-touch and across.

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“There is more control under Brendan Rodgers’ game. I felt it was an area of the park they really needed to strengthen.

“I just find they did two bits of business in January which was strange – Nicolas Kuhn, when you talk about spending millions on a winger to improve a team. You have been in a changing room when a signing has come in and you think ‘is he going to play for us?’ And right away, you get a buzz over ‘can he play for us?’.

“On the evidence so far, Nicolas Kuhn doesn’t look like he would walk into the Kilmarnock team when you look at how well Danny Armstrong and Matty Kennedy are playing.”

Celtic FC v Ross County FC – Cinch Scottish Premiership
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Pressure building on Brendan Rodgers…
Look, there is still a lot of football to be played, including that trip to Ibrox, but this is whether the fans have belief in the team and the manager.

In truth, given what Celtic fans have watched so far, you can’t blame them for having very little belief in what they are seeing or will continue to see during these final few months.

All of this just puts an even bigger spotlight on Rodgers because, whilst many were surprised that he returned to the club when Ange Postecooglou left for Tottenham.

You can be pretty sure that not many will be surprised if he is booted out if the title isn’t delivered in May because no-one will sympathise with him.

Greg Taylor reveals crunch Celtic dressing room title talks as below par stars reach two clear conclusions

Taylor wasn’t for dropping details but suffice to say a few home truths were told amongst Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

Greg Taylor applauds the fans

Greg Taylor has revealed Celtic held crunch dressing-room talks after another title slip.

The Parkhead defender admits it’s been laid on line to all that improvements simply must be made as they aim to stay as champions. Celtic were booed-off after losing a stoppage-time goal in the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock, which led to an instant and frank post-match inquest.

Taylor kept precise details of the talks in-house as, when asked if there had been raised voices or if it was calm during the discussions, he said: “It’s probably better just to leave it in the changing room.”

But, on a general theme over having the chat, he explained: “Yes we did. It’s important to realise there are still 12 league games to go. But we obviously need to improve, that’s clear, in terms of performance.

We want to hit the levels we know we can hit, so we need to do that. We’re a team, coaches, manager, players, we’re all united as one and want to put on a better showing for the fans, that’s clear.

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“Dropping points is disappointing and I feel for the supporters as they expect so much more from us and rightly so. But you have got to have perspective, it’s only February at the moment, there is still a long way to go, so we do need to find a level of performance.”

Taylor is amongst the senior stars within the dressing room, but says everyone within the unit has to grasp what is needed. When asked if the newer faces understand and get-it as regards the demands of Celtic, the full-back made it clear it involves every single member of the squad and not just certain sections.

Taylor said: “When you have leaders like Callum McGregor, Joe Hart and even myself, they have to (get it). It’s not a case of the new lads, everyone needs to understand.

“It’s not a case of just boys coming in and a case of boys that have been here, it’s everyone as a collective having to understand that this club demands success, it demands a way of playing. And, when you don’t hit those levels, then the supporters are rightly disappointed.

“At this club, even a draw like that feels like a defeat, definitely. Any time you drop points, that is the way that it does feel.”

Taylor says more talks will take place today in the hunt for solutions and improvement. He explained: “We’ll do a debrief on Monday, we need to see where we went wrong in this game and where we can improve, and we’ve got to take that into the final part of the season.”

Celtic ‘move forward’ in Prospect talks after summer scouting missions

Celtic “advance” in talks with “prospect” after summer scouting missions

Celtic are in the market for quality in the January window…

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to add quality to the ranks at Parkhead in January and his side are now reportedly advancing in negotiations for a known target.

Celtic gearing up for busy January window

Despite a comfortable 3-0 victory over Dundee at Dens Park on Boxing Day, Celtic will be keen to strengthen in January and Rodgers has made his intent to bolster his squad known over the last few weeks.

Speaking earlier this month cited via Sky Sports, the Irishman signalled his intention to add a high calibre of player mid-season, as he stated: “There’s no doubt now that, one, the squad will come down in numbers and obviously we need to add quality. There is no dressing it up, the group lost real quality players in the summer. That’s something that over the coming windows we will look to improve on.”

Boost for Rodgers as Celtic make aggressive January call on Matt O’Riley

Bringing in a striker has become a priority for the Hoops and their need is exacerbated by the fact that Kyogo Furuhashi, Oh Hyeon-gyu and Daizen Maeda could all head off to represent their respective nations on Asian Cup duty. Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Fabio Silva is believed to have been offered on loan as a potential short-term solution to the Scottish Premiership champions’ conceivable shortage of frontmen and it remains to be seen whether the Portugal Under-21 international will move to Parkhead.

Hacken midfielder Romeo Amane, Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski and Brondby talent Mathias Kvistgaarden are all other names who have been mentioned in connection with Celtic in previous weeks. Now, comments from the manager of a known Hoops target have come to light suggesting that Celtic may be moving closer to completing a signing, as cited by a report.

Celtic “advance” in Jung negotiations

As per reports from South Korea, cited by The Daily Record, Celtic have managed to “advance” in negotiations with Gwangju midfielder Jung Ho-Yeon, who was scouted by Hoops’ chiefs in the summer transfer window.

The Hoops have previously dipped into the South Korean market to recruit Yang Hyun-jun and Oh and could now be set to return to familiar territory for the 23-year-old midfielder.

Jung key statistics – K League 1 2023 (Sofascore)

Balls recovered per game

5.4

Tackles per game

2.0

Accurate passes per game

41.3 (90%)

Team of the week inclusions

Average match rating

6.99/10

Speaking to local media, Gwangju manager Lee Jung-Hyo detailed the latest on the situation, stating: “Jung Ho-Yeon is currently in talks to advance to Europe from Gwangju, but still have a long way to go. If you go to Europe now, you are bound to end up in a clumsy situation. It is wise to prepare well like Cho Gue-sung (who signed for Midtjylland last summer) and choose the team and league well.”

Labelled a “prospect” by Asian football expert Dario Focardi, the South Korea Under-23 international has gone on to make 34 appearances in 2023, registering two goals and three assists (Jung statistics – Transfermarkt).

Celtic will need to attract quality reinforcements if they are to retain their Scottish Premiership title and Jung looks like a midfielder who could add a different dimension to Rodgers’ engine room.

The Celtic January transfer rumour mill has thrown the name of Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, Fabio Silva into the hat.

The 21-year-old was once a £35.6 million club-record transfer for Wolves, but now he is struggling to come off the bench for the bottom-half English Premier League side.

With Brendan Rodgers wanting attacking reinforcements next month at Celtic, the name of Fabio Silva has been mentioned, as reported by TEAMtalk.

Andy Walker has shared that in Brendan Rodgers’ first spell at Celtic, the one-time wonderkid was linked with the club, as he told Go Radio.

But given his struggles at Wolves, it now seems like he will be heading for the exit door in January.

Celtic return, Hamish says goodbye and the future of 67 Hail Hail

With Brendan Rodgers wanting attacking reinforcements next month at Celtic, the name of Fabio Silva has been mentioned, as reported by TEAMtalk.

Andy Walker has shared that in Brendan Rodgers’ first spell at Celtic, the one-time wonderkid was linked with the club, as he told Go Radio.

But given his struggles at Wolves, it now seems like he will be heading for the exit door in January.

Given the huge sum of money Wolves paid for Fabio Silva, and the fact that his contract runs until 2026, then there’s no chance of a permanent move to Celtic.

But never rule out a loan deal, with Andy Walker talking about how the versatile forward has ‘skill’ and ‘ability’ in his game.

Celtic’s transfer links with Wolves’ Fabio Silva

“He was on Celtic’s radar a number of years ago,” said Walker. “I remember doing a game down south and he was playing for Wolves. They were all talking about the interest from Celtic.

Approach made: Celtic ask about move to sign “highly talented” £15M striker, they’ ve had a reply

The Scottish Premiership side are looking to bolster their attacking ranks in January.

Celtic have made an approach to ask about a deal to bring one of their long-term targets to the Scottish Premiership, according to a fresh report that has emerged.

Hoops eyeing Kvistgaarden

Ahead of January, Brendan Rodgers will be assessing his options in the market to see if there are any players he could strengthen his squad with. One recently identified is Brondby forward Mathias Kvistgaarden if claims are to be believed.

The Bhoys are reportedly preparing an improved offer for the striker having seen their opening bid turned down over the summer, but should a deal for him fail to come to fruition for whatever reason, the hierarchy appear to have alternative centre-forward targets.

Sturm Graz’s Szymon Wlodarczyk only put pen to paper at his club during the previous window from Gornik Zabrze where he’s so far made 28 appearances to date (Transfermarkt – Wlodarczyk statistics), but he was on the board’s radar long before his most recent move.

Back in January, Mark Hendry first claimed that Poland’s youth international was of interest to the green and white stripes, though a switch hasn’t yet taken place, hence why he moved elsewhere, and it still sounds like the 20-year-old won’t be making the trip to Glasgow anytime soon despite new efforts.

Celtic submit enquiry for Wlodarczyk

According to Football Scotland, Celtic have asked about signing Wlodarczyk again next month, but after learning his price tag in a response from Sturm Graz, have decided that they couldn’t afford to complete a deal in January.

“Football Scotland can also reveal Celtic reached out to Sturm Graz in an effort to revisit another former transfer target, Szymon Wlodarczyk, but were told his valuation has sky-rocketed to around £15m which would financially be out of their reach in January.”

Wlodarczyk is a “highly talented” striker

Since joining Sturm Graz, Wlodarczyk has racked up 11 contributions (nine goals and two assists) from 28 appearances, displaying how prolific he can be in the final third, and he’s able to pose a constant threat to the opposition’s defence in the attacking areas of the pitch.

Sponsored by Adidas, Walbrzych’s native has recorded 32 shots over the course of the current campaign which is more than any other of his fellow teammates, highlighting what a standout performer he is in front of the net compared to his peers (FBRef – Sturm Graz statistics).

Standing at 6 foot 2, Rodgers’ target is also able to provide a real physical presence up top with his height, with his ability to win aerial duels making him a real handful for any backline to deal with, alongside how dangerous he can be with the ball at his feet.

Described by football scout Jacek Kulig, Wlodarczyk is a “highly talented” player with an extremely bright future ahead of him, but with Celtic not set to splash the cash to get their long-term target in the coming weeks, it could prove to be a blow considering the positive impact that he may have been able to make.

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Chloe is an experienced football journalist and podcaster having worked in the sports media industry for the past three years.

Combining her love of the beautiful game with a passion for writing, Chloe started out creating and editing articles for Our MFC before going on to cover the Euro 2020 tournament with Overtime Sports Online.

In March 2022, Chloe was selected to join the academy team at Snack Media and later secured the role of freelance writer for The Transfer Tavern before moving over to the company’s flagship site, Football FanCast.

Chloe is also a huge Stoke City supporter having been a season ticket holder at the Bet365 Stadium for over a decade.

Ian Wright’s Celtic story stuns Gary Neville as Roy Keane delivers wild retort

Ian Wright Celtic history leaves Gary Neville gob-smacked as Roy Keane delivers savage one-liner

Arsenal legend Wright spent four months at Parkhead after being signed as a short-term replacement for injured Henrik Larsson

STICK TO FOOTBALL QUIZ WITH PADDY MCGUINNESS

It goes without saying that Ian Wright’s best years were well behind him when the Arsenal legend pitched up at Celtic Park in 1999.

So much so that close pal and Manchester United legend Gary Neville didn’t even know he played for the Hoops! It’s a period in history that Celtic fans would rather erase from memory, and that’s why Wright’s short stint in Glasgow was a forgettable one.

Following Henrik Larsson’s horror leg break in Lyon, boss John Barnes turned to his ex-England teammate by signing the striker from West Ham on a short-term deal. A player in the twilight of his career and living on past glories, it’s fair to say Wright’s time at Parkhead didn’t go to plan as he scored just three times and came on as a second-half sub during that infamous Scottish Cup defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle.

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Barnes paid the price with his job that night and it wasn’t long before Wright followed him out the door, returning south with Burnley where he eventually pulled the curtain down on his impressive career.

Best known for his iconic years at Crystal Palace and Arsenal, Wright’s association with Celtic left Neville gob-smacked as the Stick to Football pundit and sidekick Jamie Carragher were asked by quiz host Paddy McGuinness to list the clubs the goalscoring frontman played for. After Liverpool hero Carragher answered Celtic, astonished Neville turned to Wright and exclaimed: “You went to Celtic?”

Before Wright could get a word in, devilish Roy Keane – who also spent a short spell at Parkhead – immediately dished out a savage one-liner and teased: “He was up there… he didn’t play, did he?”

Justifying his move to Celtic, Wright explained: “I had a period of my career where I was bouncing from one club to another trying to finish in 2000.”

The 60-year-old added: “I played for Nottingham Forest for a month’s loan before I went to Celtic. So it was Palace, Arsenal and West Ham. Then Forest on loan, Celtic and Burnley. I had four clubs in one season, you can’t do that anymore. Me and Harry Redknapp didn’t get on so he blew me out at West Ham. I went on loan to Forest, then Henrik Larsson got injured so I went to Celtic.

“It all went wrong, Barnesy was there, then I went to Burnley to finish it off and we got promoted. It’s a beautiful story.”

You can watch the full Stick to Football episode in the video player above.

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Join Football Scotland’s Celtic WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our Celtic WhatsApp community today.

You’ll receive daily updates on breaking Hoops news as well as the top headlines from Parkhead.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Football Scotland team.

All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!

If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.

Celtic hero Chris Sutton blasts SFA over ’embarrassing’ mic ruling

Celtic hero Chris Sutton has blasted the SFA for their decision to block Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery from being mic’d up during the Edinburgh derby, calling it “embarrassing”.

The Easter Road manager had agreed to fans watching on Sky Sports at home to hear him throughout the fixture after Hibs agreed to a request from the broadcaster.

It would have been a first in Scottish football along with Montgomery’s assistant Sergio Raimundo wearing a body cam.

And Sutton, who provided live commentary for the game, did not hold back when giving his thoughts on the decision.

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Writing on X, he said: “Nick Montgomery was open and happy to be mic’d up for tonight’s Edinburgh derby.

“It would have been fascinating to hear how he worked and his mindset ingame. But for whatever reason the SFA blocked it.

“The SFA are an embarrassment and stuck in the past. Dear me…”

Meanwhile, Celtic coach Harry Kewell is poised “to leave the club in the coming days”.

This is according to the Scottish Sun who claim that the Australian “edging closer to being appointed as the new Yokohama F. Marinos boss.”

Kewell did not travel with Brendan Rodgers’ side on Boxing Day as the Hoops defeated Dundee 3-0.

Reports in Australia state that John Hutchinson, who worked with Ange Postecoglou at Marinos, is expected to be his No2.

Rodgers previously confirmed that he would not stand in the way of Kewell joining the former J1 League champions.

He said: “”Harry has already managed before, so it is not new to him. He has had a taste of it and I am always one that if staff members want to broaden their horizons then I am very encouraging of that.

“It is also a sign that you have talented people if other clubs want them.”