Source: Team_Talk
Hartson backs Mowbray choice
Reports on Saturday suggest the West Brom boss is set to be unveiled as Celtic's new manager within the next 48 hours, despite the Baggies insisting they have yet to receive an approach from the Glasgow giants.
But, if Mowbray does return north of the border for the Parkhead hotseat, Hartson has no doubts that Hoops chiefs have got the right man.
"I think they've made the absolute perfect appointment in my opinion," said the former Celtic striker.
"When I was asked last week, I said that Tony Mowbray was your man.
"He's a fantastic guy, great temperament, fantastic coach and can deal with players.
"For me, he is definitely the right man for the job. I'm delighted for Tony and I'm delighted for the Celtic faithful."
Mowbray took Hartson to The Hawthorns when he left Celtic in 2006 and he insists his old gaffer has all the qualities to succeed in the east end of Glasgow.
He added: "He basically lets you go and express yourself, he loves footballers to go and enjoy the game and do the right thing on the pitch in terms of what they're good at.
"He gives you lots and lots of confidence. Apart from that, he's just a really nice guy as well. He's a man's man, he tells you how it is.
"He's from Middlesbrough, he's a working-class guy from a working-class background and I got on extremely well with him. It's great news for the Celtic fans all around the world."
Hartson knows a minority of supporters may be unhappy if Mowbray does get the job just weeks after West Brom lost their fight to remain in the Barclays Premier League.
But Hartson told BBC Scotland: "They actually had a decent season.
"I know they got relegated but West Brom weren't really expected to stay up, they were expected to go straight back down. They never spent fortunes.
"They beat some good sides, they played some good football and were unlucky to lose a lot of games. They only just went down.
"What I would say to those fans is to give him a chance.
"He played great football at Hibs, he went to West Brom and could have stayed there and been favourites to win the Championship again next season.
"But I know from speaking to Tony - not in the last week or so - that Celtic is very close to his heart.
"The fans are having someone who is a Celtic man. A lot of the fans didn't see Gordon Strachan as a Celtic man but they certainly have a Celtic man now in Tony Mowbray and I think it's a great appointment."
