Source: Daily_Mail
It's buoyant at the Bhoys, insists Mowbray amidst talk of boardroom rift
Ousted: Caldwell claims he was sold against the manager's wishes[LNB]Tony Mowbray today insisted there was no rift between himself and the Celtic board after Gary Caldwell claimed he was sold against the manager's wishes.[LNB]Scotland defender Caldwell, 27, was yesterday officially unveiled as a Wigan player in a reported £1million contract.[LNB]He left Parkhead six months before his Celtic deal was due to expire after talks over an extension broke down.[LNB]He has now suggested Mowbray was happy to concede to his wage demands but was vetoed by chief executive Peter Lawwell and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.[LNB]While not specifically denying there had been a difference of opinion over Caldwell, Mowbray said: 'First and foremost, it should be said I've got a very strong relationship - working relationship - with the executives at the club and my chief executive, Peter, and with the major shareholder, Dermot.[LNB]'There's no animosity and nothing going on behind the scenes that anybody should try to read into.'[LNB]Mowbray, who also denied Caldwell's claim that the Celtic boss had expressed a desire for him to stay, added: 'I admire Gary Caldwell as a guy and as a football player.[LNB] Trouble and strife: Tony Mowbray hasn't enjoyed a smooth ride at Celtic[LNB]'Yet, there was a negotiation that went on and on and never came to a conclusion to the point that he was running out of contract, a club made a bid and we accepted that bid.[LNB]'I don't think we need look too deeply into those comments. Certain mischievous avenues could try to create a wedge that is not there.[LNB]'I wish Gary all the very, very best. He's an excellent footballer, he's a wonderful individual and a good man.[LNB]'But it's wrong to say that there's a conflict of interest at this club with myself and my board.'[LNB] Celtic board forced me to join Wigan claims ousted defender CaldwellKillen's parting shot at Mowbray: Celtic boss unsettles playersALL THE WIGAN ATHLETIC FC
