New Middlesbrough striker Chris Killen has questioned former boss Tony Mowbray's managerial skills.
Kiwi striker claims Bhoys boss upset Celtic dressing room
New Middlesbrough striker Chris Killen has questioned Celtic boss Tony Mowbray's managerial skills after switching clubs this week.
The 28-year-old arrived at the Riverside on a free transfer on Wednesday along with fellow former Parkhead players Barry Robson and Willo Flood.
Killen made 13 appearance without scoring in a Bhoys shirt this season before his move and believes Mowbray lost the respect of some of his team after a recent statement.
The New Zealand international claims Mowbray's public desire to sign 10 new players this January undermined the squad at his disposal, hence the club's faltering domestic form.
"I think what he said did upset a lot of the players, if we're being honest about it," Killen said in the
Daily Record. "And, yes, the feeling at the training ground lately has been a bit confused.
"But that's fine. We're all professional football players and we realise that this is what happens when a new man takes over.
"He comes in with his own ideas and his own plans for the club. He wants to bring his own men and that's his prerogative.
"Maybe he was trying to ruffle a few feathers by what he said. Maybe he was looking to get a positive response out of the guys who were there.
"Sometimes a manager needs to say certain things in order to get a reaction and maybe that's what he was trying to do.
"Did it backfire? Well, I wouldn't like to say."
Boro move
Mowbray took over the reigns at Parkhead last summer and has yet to win over the fans after an early European exit and currently trailing league leaders Rangers by seven points.
Killen, who was signed for Celtic by current Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan, admits his limited starting opportunities under Mowbray contributed to his need for a change of scenery.
"With the World Cup this summer, I knew I had to do something to get myself some game time and that's why I'm so delighted this opportunity has come up," he added.
"Of course there is a concern that I might end up moving down here swapping once bench for another. I'd be lying if I said that thought hadn't crossed my mind.
"But I still think I'll have a better chance of playing football here than I would have had at Celtic."
