Caldwell wants new Celts deal

GARY CALDWELL has revealed he is desperate to become Tony Mowbray's first signing as Celtic boss - because he can't wait to lead Mogga's Hoops revolution.

The 27-year-old Scotland star hopes Mowbray's appointment will finally end his nine-month wait to sign a new long-term deal.

Many Celtic fans feared Scotland's Player of the Year might be on his way to the Premiership, after he failed to put pen to paper on a new contract.

But Sport of the World managed to track down the Hoops star in Dubai last night and Caldwell made it clear he can't wait to team up again with Mowbray, who made him captain at Hibs.

That will come as welcome news to Mowbray who made signing Caldwell his No 1 priority when he took charge at Parkhead last Wednesday.

Now the 33-times capped Scotland stopper has given Mowbray the green light to tie him up on a long-term deal.

Caldo said: "I want to stay at Celtic - I've ALWAYS wanted to stay at Celtic. The problem is the club hasn't put an offer down in front of me since last September.

"Now I want to get something sorted out as quickly as possible.

"Hopefully Tony Mowbray's appointment will allow us to get this matter cleared up when I return. The fact it's my old gaffer taking over is massively important to me.

"If it was someone I didn't know and had never worked with before, there might have been a worry.

"But I know what to expect from Tony Mowbray and I'm as excited about his arrival as every other Celtic fan.

"If anything, it's made me even more impatient to get the contract out of the way so I can concentrate on bringing trophies back to Celtic."

Caldwell believes Mowbray's great relationship with Celtic fans gives him one huge advantage Gordon Strachan never had.

He revealed: "I don't think Gordon's relationship with the fans was a problem . . . while we were winning titles and cups!

"I think we all knew the moment we stopped being successful there would be a backlash from a section of the support who clearly resented Gordon.

"Tony doesn't have that baggage. He's always had a great relationship with Celtic supporters - even when he was manager of Hibs.

"I remember coming back from Celtic Park on the Hibs coach and there was a Celtic supporters bus on one side of us.

"They were all singing: 'There's only one Tony Mowbray' - when he was in charge of Hibs! So he has a huge amount of goodwill there and the fans are willing him to do well.

"But Tony has played for Celtic and he will be under no illusions. He knows he must win the league back from Rangers - that's his first priority.

"There isn't long to prepare for the new season, but I'm sure Tony has done his homework and will have targets in mind who he wants to sign.

"He will want to hit the ground running because we have two massive qualifying rounds to get through if we are to play in the Champions League."

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