MOWBRAY: FANS HAVE BIG ROLE TO PLAY

Tony Mowbray has urged the Celtic fans to continue to play their part in extending the club's proud European home record as he prepares for his first competitive match as manager.

Mowbray will take charge of the team at Celtic Park for the first time when Dinamo Moscow visit on Wednesday in the Champions League qualifiers.

Only Barcelona have managed to secure an away victory in the previous 35 European matches at the Glasgow venue.

The former Hoops defender believes the supporters have played a key part in Celtic's impressive home results and he is keen for the fans to turn out in force again.

Mowbray said: "The backing of the fans is always important at Celtic Park, especially on big European nights. It will be massive for us on Wednesday.

"With total respect to the players who have played for Celtic over the last eight years in Europe, I would suggest that the proud home record the club enjoys has a lot to do with the supporters.

"Of course, it's up to the players on the pitch to produce the goods and win matches, but the feeling and confidence they get from the passion in the stands also plays a big part.

"We've all got a big role to play on Wednesday night and that includes the supporters.

"I'm sure they will come out and back the team, because they always have done over the years."

Mowbray has presided over a promising pre-season schedule which has seen Celtic score 10 goals without reply against Brisbane Roar, Al-Ahly and Tottenham, and draw 0-0 with Cardiff.

The former West Brom boss saw his side clinch the first silverware of his reign when they won the Wembley Cup with a 2-0 victory over Spurs yesterday.

"Look at the support in Australia and Wembley," Mowbray told celticfc.net.

"It was absolutely fantastic and hopefully the performances we have produced, and goals we have scored in the last few games, will encourage the supporters to buy in to what we are doing.

"We have been on our travels for the last few weeks, but this is a big chance for us to impress them for the first time at Celtic Park."

New signings Marc-Antoine Fortune, Landry N'Guemo and Danny Fox are in line for Celtic Park debuts in the first leg of the third qualifying round, which will not be screened on television.