Comment: What next for Celtic after Tony Mowbray's departure

NOT many supporters of the green persuasion will be shedding a tear tonight following the decision by the Celtic board to part company with the popular but relatively unsuccessful Celtic manager Tony Mowbray.

Despite a promising start to his reign, a lack of cohesion within the side - typified by a weak defence - ensured that the Parkhead club's season was all but over come January.

The question now for Celtic and their support is who will fill the void left by Mowbray's departure?

Whoever takes over will have to overcome a multitude of constraints.

They will find a team supplemented by loan signings, without a clear leader and lacking in any significant backbone.

Financial constraints will also dog Mowbray's successor with next season's Champions League money as good as headed for Ibrox.

The only silver lining for the new man will be the perilous financial state Rangers find themselves in.

A number of key Ibrox players already look set for the exit meaning Walter Smith, whose own future is in doubt, will have a threadbare squad to chose from next season.

Another concern is the lack of managerial candidates who are experienced enough to pull the club together and achieve success with limited resources.

The untested Neil Lennon has put his future managerial career on the line by accepting this temporary appointment and only time will tell whether he has made the right decision.

If Lennon can fire up this dishevelled Celtic side and deliver the Scottish Cup then he will rightly stake his place on the shortlist.

Early odds on Mowbray's replacement make Paul Lambert the favourite followed closely by Mark Hughes and Roy Keane.

Alan Curbishley, John Hughes, Mick McCarthy, David Moyes and David O'Leary are all distant runners.

With Lambert recently ruling himself out of the running, clear front-runners are few and far between.

Be prepared for some obscure and bizarre names to enter the frame over the coming months.

The Celtic board cannot afford to gamble on a relative novice as a

third season without Champions League football is something Celtic can ill-afford.

An experienced hand with a proven track record is needed.

The current Celtic squad has been mismanaged but does have some quality players looking to shine.

A manger with experience in getting the best out of under-performing players - while working within tight constraints -

will be high on the Celtic board's list of requirements.

Alan Maguire is a freelance writer and a Celtic season ticket holder