West Bromwich Albion are still hopeful of holding on to manager Tony Mowbray despite confirming an approach from Celtic.
Chairman Jeremy Peace yesterday revealed the Clydesdale Bank Premier League giants had been in touch as they stepped up their search for a successor to Gordon Strachan.
A move to Parkhead is likely to be appealing to Mowbray, who spent four years with the Hoops during his playing career and impressed in a two-year spell as Hibernian manager before joining Albion in 2006.
However, the 45-year-old appealed for loyalty from his players following their relegation from the Barclays Premier League last month and Peace is hoping Mowbray will show the same commitment he has demanded of his squad.
'After two weeks of speculation, I have finally received a call from Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, requesting permission to speak to Tony,' said Peace.
'I made it absolutely clear that Celtic's approach was not welcome, because we have an ongoing project at Albion in which Tony is an integral part.'
