Soccer:West Brom have given Celtic permission to talk to manager Tony Mowbray about the Parkhead vacancy after agreeing a compensation package, the English club have confirmed.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell targeted the Baggies boss, a former Celtic defender, as the replacement for Gordon Strachan who departed three weeks ago.

A possible appointment had been held up by West Brom's insistence that Celtic would have to meet their £2million compensation figure.

The figure has now been agreed in principle, and will rise if Mowbray decides to take West Brom assistant manager Mark Venus and first-team coach Peter Grant, a former Celtic team-mate, with him to Parkhead.

Former Celtic star Charlie Nicholas is happy with Mowbray's imminent return to Glasgow but insists the Parkhead club should have moved to get the deal done last week.

Nicholas said: "I have to say I'm happy with it. Tony is very honest and a very devoted individual.

"I think it will be good news for Tony and the good news of the majority of

Celtic fans, they don't all want him.

"But I'm amazed. Why did they not just do it a week ago?

"Why can't they simply say the most important person at the club is the manager of the playing staff and if the man is available a week ago, it's simple business.

"Don't muck about, get the business done.

"But typical Celtic, they have delayed it but if they have moved it on and got the deal done, I will be happy with Tony, Peter Grant and Mark Venus.''