CELTIC have carried out a backroom cull ahead of a new boss taking over from Gordon Strachan.

Out go assistant manager Garry Pendrey and goalkeeping coach Jim Blythe after Strachan called time on his Hoops career.

And chief scout Ray Clarke has also parted company with the Parkhead club as they clear the decks.

Meanwhile, former Celt John Hartson has urged the Hoops to pull out all the stops to make Tony Mowbray the new boss.

Celtic have been warned off the West Brom manager by the Midlands club.

And it is believed any move for the former Hibs manager would involve compensation of around £1.5m.

However, Hartson insists it would be money well spent.

"Three or four under-performing players will leave the club this summer, and they are on seriously big money," he said.

"The club are in a good financial position and, with guys leaving, the money should be there to get Tony.

"Remember, he started the huddle, and that alone makes him a legend.

"I don't know what finances would be involved to get him, but I'd advise the board to push the boat out and go and get him.

"I don't think there are many better men out there."

Hartson, who featured only sporadically under Mowbray at West Brom, believes his brand of football would be relished by the demanding Hoops support.

"The bottom line is, if Tony plays good football and wins trophies, every-one's a winner," he said.

"But, as Gordon showed, winning trophies doesn't always win over the fans.

"With some it is all about how the team plays. Martin O'Neill's side did both."