Mowbray set to open old rivalry with O'Neill

Last updated : 19 September 2008 By Wba-mad Editor

Albion manager Tony Mowbray will renew his old rivalry with Martin O'Neill as the two former SPL bosses meet in the Premiership for the first time this Sunday (KO 12pm). Mowbray knows all about the threats teams managed by O'Neill possess after facing Celtic on a number of occasion during his time in charge of Hibs.


Mowbray can see similarities between the side created north of the border at Celtic and at O'Neill's latest club with the Albion chief expecting another tough game at The Hawthorns against Villa this weekend.


"I can look back at a Martin's Celtic team with John Hartson up front and I can see John Carew doing exactly the same job now," the Albion boss said.


"I can see the wide players putting balls in the box, the controlled central midfield players who know what to do with the ball and the central defenders being big, strong and dominant.


"He knows what he wants from his team and what he wants from individuals.


"I can see his philosophy and what he is all about, as people hopefully can see from my teams.


"People know what Martin's teams are about. They are very efficient.


"He managed Celtic and I managed Hibs.


"There's a huge difference between those two football clubs.


"I'd like to think we were competitive in every game we played and Celtic knew they were in for a tough match.


"Come Sunday I hope we can give Villa a tough match."