Baggies rubbish Mowbray move talk

Mowbray has been installed by the bookmakers as favourite to succeed Gordon Strachan, who resigned in the aftermath of the Bhoys losing out to Rangers in the SPL title battle.

But Albion have issued a statement reiterating they anticipate Mowbray being at the helm for the 2009-2010 campaign. It read: "Tony Mowbray is under contract for the next two years and we fully expect him to be our manager next season."

Celtic - and their majority shareholder Dermot Desmond - are understood to be weighing up whether to make a formal approach to secure the services of Mowbray, who spent four years with the club as a player in the early 1990s.

The 45-year-old is still respected and admired at Parkhead - not only for his performances as a player but for the way he handled the death of his first wife Bernadette through cancer.

He also created a favourable impression during his spell in charge of Hibernian before quitting to take charge of the Baggies two and a half years ago.

West Brom would seek compensation of around £1million if Mowbray was prised away.

Mowbray still has two years left on his contract and Celtic would have to pay double the reported compensation figures of £500,000 for his services - if Albion chairman Jeremy Peace agrees to allow him to leave.

He led the Baggies to promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship during his first full season in charge at Albion 12 months ago.

But West Brom were then instantly relegated from the top flight for the third time in seven years at the end of this season.