New look Celtic shaping up nicely, says upbeat Mowbray

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DUNFERMLINE, Scotland, Feb 8, 2010 (AFP) - Tony Mowbray says he is happy with how his new look Celtic side is progressing after they came from behind to defeat Dunfermline 4-2 in their Scottish Cup fifth round tie.

The Celtic manager was the busiest boss in the country during the January transfer window as he brought in eight new faces and shipped a similar number out of the club as he looked to put his own stamp on the team he inherited from Gordon Strachan in the summer.

Three of his new signings were on target in the win over Dunfermline with on-loan pair Diomansy Kamara and Robbie Keane netting their first goals for the club with Danish striker Morten Rasmussen and an own goal from Callum Woods completing the scoring.

But while Celtic's attacking line-up seems to be in rude health their defensive frailties were once again exposed by their First Division opponents who raced into a 2-1 lead through David Graham and an Andy Kirk penalty after the Hoops had opened the scoring through Kamara.

The Scottish Cup win proved a welcome respite from criticism that Mowbray has endured this week after a defeat away to Kilmarnock on Wednesday left them trailing their rivals Rangers by ten points at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The Parkhead side have lost five times in the league so far this season, were knocked out in the League Cup by Hearts and exited the Europa League before Christmas.

But the manager asked for patience as he builds his side and said the signs were there that they will soon be challenging for honours on a regular basis.

"I've always said I understand the hysteria around a defeat yet what I try to do at every club I've been to is build football clubs from a real base of strength and how you do that is you bring in quality players," Mowbray said.

"A lot of people out there think there is a magic wand and you bring players in and everything just clicks into place.

"I think the signs were there. When we are in possession of the ball and when we are going forward I think this team can be exciting. I think at the other end of the pitch we still have work to do."

And the manager hinted that there could be further changes at the club in the summer as he strives to improve the quality of the squad.

"I've got great belief in the group and we were disappointed we couldn't add one or two more in the window because, ultimately, you've got to have quality all over the pitch," Mowbray said.

"But we will get there. It is a longer term plan for us and once you build something that has a solid foundation you will find longevity and success. I think the ingredients are coming together but they don't just click over night.

"I'm sure the people who make the real key decisions at this football club can see what is developing. I hope the Celtic supporter can see what we're trying to build here and whilst there is at times a certain amount of hysteria at times about what is going on I'm very comfortable about the way we are building."

Against Dunfermline Keane converted a second-half penalty after coming off the bench at half-time. His introduction, when the game was locked at 2-2, was the impetus behind Celtic's win and his manager praised his performance.

"Robbie Keane, no matter what anyone else might think, has genuine class and if you can add class to any hard-working talented football team that little bit of magic sometimes is the difference," Mowbray said.

"It might not be any individual thing he does but just by his cleverness of his movement and his little touch here and there it creates space for other players to do the damage."