Mowbray leaves Celtic: Fans' chief says St Mirren debacle was final straw

• Mowbray watches his side slump to a 4-0 defeat at St Mirren last night

Mowbray's short reign came to an end when he parted company with the Glasgow giants this afternoon after just nine months at the club.

Last night's capitulation left Celtic 10-points adrift of Rangers – who have two games in hand – in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and was their heaviest league defeat, outside an Old Firm derby, in 30 years.

Rafferty believes there was only one possible outcome.

"I don't suppose it has come as any great surprise unfortunately because of the way the results have been going," he told Press Association Sport.

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"It's been a very topsy-turvy season for us so far. Last night's result was just one result too many for the fans. The manner in which we were defeated didn't go down well at all.

"I don't know if there is ever a right time for a manager to go, especially when he hasn't been there that long.

"A few months ago, the backing of the fans was first-class and I don't think anybody thought at that moment in time that what has happened, and how it happened, would happen.

"It's disappointing for all concerned.

"The pressure a Celtic manager is under is immense, as some of his predecessors found out as well. We are in the winning game and we like to play attractive, open football as well.

"Tony promised that to the fans but unfortunately there were so many changes for different reasons and that didn't materialise."

Celtic have confirmed coach and former skipper Neil Lennon will take interim charge of the team.

"He knows all about the club and there is nobody better," said Rafferty.

"He maybe lacks the experience in that kind of position but he is an enthusiastic person.

"As a player, he always played for the jersey so the fans can identify with that quite strongly."

And Rafferty believes Lennon is the ideal person to lift a dejected dressing room.

He added: "They need an infectious character, someone who knows what it's all about and who has played for the club and won trophies with the club.

"At this moment in time, he is probably the best choice all things being considered."

However, Rafferty is unsure whether Lennon is the right choice long-term.

"We will wait and see how that goes," he said.

"I assume his appointment will be until the end of the season and there will be a reflective period then."