Tony Mowbray targets new era of Middlesbrough success
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/9125805.stmMiddlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray is confident of establishing a new era of success at the Riverside to build on his reputation from his playing days.
Mowbray, 46, was a fans' favourite, making 424 appearances before moving to Celtic in 1991, and is now looking to write a new chapter in Boro's history.
"We're looking to make positive history," Mowbray told BBC Tees.
"We want to get a promotion pretty quickly and establish ourselves back in the Premier League."
Having left Ayresome Park for Celtic, the Saltburn-born centre-back proved equally popular at Parkhead, introducing the club's famous pre-match huddle during his four-year stint across the border.
However that legend status at Celtic Park was not enough to save Mowbray's job in management, following his dismissal in March of this year after just 10 months in charge.
It is an experience that the former West Bromwich Albion manager is convinced he can avoid at the Riverside.
"People have said to me, 'is it dangerous to go back because your reputation on Teesside is pretty strong because of the team of 1986?', but I don't think so," Mowbray added.
"I'm up for the challenge and always have been, so let's hope this goes well, let's hope we can get this club moving in the right direction.
"If for whatever reason it doesn't work out, my affection for this club will never change, but I don't bring a magic wand with me.
"Rest assured it won't be through lack of hard work and endeavour, and giving every hour that I've got to make this club successful again."
Boro's first game under Mowbray's management will be the visit of Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday.
Among the players inherited from former boss Gordon Strachan are ex-Celtic men Scott McDonald, Stephen McManus, Barry Robson and Willo Flood; players sold by Mowbray during his spell at the Glasgow club.
"It's a clean slate for everybody, I know some people have been speculating, I know that there's a few players from north of the border here, four or five I've worked with in the past," Mowbray added.
"The reasons those players left Celtic are all differing reasons, there's no problems from my perspective with those players, I don't think I forced any of the out of the door.
"Some of them were for financial reasons, some were footballers who just weren't getting a game at Celtic and wanted to go and play.
"They're all decent lads to be fair, there's no issues, everybody starts from the same point, and all I expect is that they come in and get their boots on and train hard, try to be the best footballer they can and let's work on trying to improve the team and the results."
Targeting it is one thing, delivering it is another
