New Albion first-team coach Peter Grant is relishing the chance to help his old friend Tony Mowbray through his first season as a Premier League manager.
Grant and Mowbray are reunited for the first time since their time as players at Celtic in the 1990’s, where Grant was the gritty midfielder and Mowbray the rugged defender.
Now their forces again combine, with one objective - keep the Baggies in the Premier League.
Grant said: “There’s no doubt that in the Premier League there’s more of a spotlight, the press want more of your time and the demands are great.
“There’s no doubt that my football philosophies are the same as Tony’s. I’m thankful that he sees that and has brought me here.
“I’ve been in the lower divisions in England, been on a run in the Premier with West Ham and finished ninth.
“We probably would have finished fifth had we not gone on a cup run.
“We needed to catch up in the League by playing on Mondays and Thursdays and that forced us to change the team.
“Hopefully the bits of knowledge I’ve picked up will help, not hinder.”
They kept in touch since their days at Parkhead and Grant is not surprised Mowbray has become a highly-regarded young boss.
“We knew every day was for learning and improving. You had to give it the maximum, because at Celtic if you don’t do that then you’re out.
“There were no transfer windows back then, so you could be out next week. Tony realised there was gulf between playing for Middlesbrough and playing for Celtic in terms of expectation.
“Not only on the playing side but on the training side.”
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