Stephen McManus and Danny Fox leave for England as Parkhead cull continues apace

Club captain and central defender Stephen McManus joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season while left-back Danny Fox, signed just six months ago from Coventry City, was sold to Burnley for 1.5million as Celtic recouped the fee they paid for the player.

It takes the number of departures from Celtic during the current transfer window to six.

There is also the possibility of more to follow before Monday night's deadline, with Mowbray confirming interest from English clubs in Australian striker Scott McDonald.

Gary Caldwell was sold to Wigan Athletic for 1.1million, while Middlesbrough earlier recruited the trio of Barry Robson, Chris Killen and Willo Flood.

So far, Mowbray has signed four new players in January's transfer window – Ki Sung Yueng, Jos Hooiveld, Thomas Rogne and Morten Rasmussen.

He is confident of adding two more before the window closes.

Mowbray accepts that the sale of Fox, a former Everton youngster, so soon after he was one of his first signings as Celtic manager appears a curious decision, but insists the deal made sense for all concerned.

"I can understand that view," said Mowbray, "but when I arrived at the club, there were some very obvious holes that needed filling. We tried to fill them very quickly.

"Danny has done well and would only get stronger playing for this club, his talent is there for all to see.

"Yet I now find myself prioritising and the money we receive for Danny will be spent elsewhere to strengthen the team in areas that need to be strengthened.

"He understood the situation. It was an opportunity to go and test himself in the English Premier League and it allowed me to hopefully do the business I want to do.

"Without teasing too much, we are working hard behind the scenes and one or two things are pretty close. Let's hope things can be concluded before midnight on Monday, but you never know."