Mowbray bids farewell to Albion

The former Baggies boss blamed "strained relations" behind the scenes at the Hawthorns for his departure, as he was unveiled at Parkhead.

Although he did not refer specifically to anyone by name, his comments will be interpreted by Albion fans as a thinly-veiled attack on chairman Jeremy Peace.

Mowbray has now been paraded as the Bhoys' new boss and is adamant he has no regrets over walking out of the Hawthorns just a month after telling his players they "owed" the club another season after relegation.

He said: "Without getting too deeply into it, relationships are very important in the hierarchy of football clubs and there were one or two problems at Albion as the season went on.

"I've got to enjoy going into work every day. What keeps me getting up and driving into work is enjoying the environment I work in and that had become a little bit strained.

"This opportunity is something I have taken on with a very clear conscience.

"My words in the West Midlands were designed for the players and making sure we all stayed together for the new division.

"I don't think that rings true for me. The players' relationship with their manager was very strong, but other relationships at the club weren't as strong and ultimately I felt the time was right to move on."

Mowbray officially departed Albion last night with the Old Firm giants announcing him as their new boss, three weeks after the departure of Gordon Strachan.

But his exit has upset some fans, who have questioned his loyalty after he walked away just weeks after demanding his players honour their contracts next season.

The former manager added: "I think loyalty was a very important factor for the players I signed. But when you talk about the management of a football club it comes down to relationships.

"I talked about the players showing loyalty because I didn't feel they had a reason to 'up and out,' because there was a very strong bond that the coaching staff and players had."