Rangers boss Walter Smith insists he took no pleasure from hearing that Tony Mowbray had parted company with Celtic. Mowbray's short reign came to an end after just nine months, with a 4-0 defeat at St Mirren proving to be his last act as Celtic boss.

"It's always an unfortunate circumstance when a manager has to go," said Smith.

"I've faced it myself before and it's not something that gives anybody, and certainly me, any great pleasure.

"It happens, it's part and parcel of football. I don't think Tony Mowbray or myself would be surprised at that factor. It's part and parcel of the life we lead.

"When we come in, we know we have to get a good level of results, regardless of what circumstances surround it. That's what we have to do.

"The consequences of not doing that always means that the manager suffers.

"It's something that's with us all and we know when we take the job, it's our job - at the Old Firm especially - to try to win."

Former Rangers boss Alex McLeish, now in charge of Birmingham, said: "I've been there, I know how it feels to be an Old Firm manager and on the wrong side of results. It is a tough place to be.

"It challenges you as a person and as a manager and Tony will have the strength of character to come back from that.

"You can't describe what it is like until you have been in that situation.

"I was given loads of advice before I went into the job, telling me what it would be like, but you just can't imagine what it is like until you have been in it.

"You think, 'I'll remember that', but you've got to experience it yourself."