Albion are braced for an approach from Celtic as Tony Mowbray climbed to the top of the shortlist for the Parkhead manager’s job.

The Baggies and Mowbray are currently silent on mounting speculation linking the Hawthorns chief with the vacant hot-seat.

But strong rumours in Scotland claim Mowbray is heavily favoured for a return to the Old Firm club he served as a player for four years.

Mowbray, who has two years remaining on his Hawthorns contract, has been installed as bookies’ favourite to replace Gordon Strachan, who quit the Hoops in the wake of their defeat by Rangers in the SPL title race.

Now Albion officials could be set to field a formal approach to speak to their manager, although the Baggies would be due a seven-figure compensation figure if their boss left.

Mowbray’s name is already understood to have been discussed by the Celtic board, who had prior warning of Strachan’s decision to leave after four years at the helm.

But the final decision on candidates will be made by majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, who is due to resume discussions as the club finalised a hit-list of potential candidates.

It is believed Hoops fans would welcome an approach for Mowbray.

His record in turning Hibernian into a genuine force in the SPL and his success in leading the Baggies to promotion and an FA Cup semi-final with an attacking brand of football has caught the eye in Glasgow.

The 45-year-old is still admired from his time at Parkhead as a player – both for his on-field performances and his off-the-field reaction to the death of his first wife, Bernadette, from cancer.

Mowbray has his reputation remains in tact with the majority of Baggies fans.

But plans by Albion chairman Jeremy Peace to chop the first-team squad to 20 senior players are believed to have caused friction with the manager.