MIDDLESBROUGH manager Gordon Strachan has defended the quality of players he left behind at Celtic after Tony Mowbray attacked his legacy at the Scottish giants.

The Boro players have already noted Strachan’s positive influence in training and the introduction of the new manager has ensured every member of the squad is keen to make an impression ahead of Saturday’s home encounter with Plymouth Argyle.

After succeeding Gareth Southgate, Strachan noted that he was inheriting a strong outfit boasting a wealth of young talent produced by the Rockliffe Park academy.

Despite already being linked with moves for a new striker – Chris Iwelumo from Wolves and Birmingham City marksman Kevin Phillips are both believed to be on his radar – Strachan is not expected to undertake major surgery on the squad as he plots an immediate return to the Premier League.

But Mowbray has been critical about the quality of players left by Strachan who stepped down as boss at Parkhead last May.

Strachan reacted with surprise to his successor’s claims, insisting that he built a squad that he loved to watch on the training pitch.

“Yes, I am surprised because there are some terrific players at that football club,”

insisted Strachan who won the Scottish Premier League title in three of his four seasons at Celtic Park. “I don’t want to comment on what Tony might have said but I will say this – I used to go to training and think to myself, I love watching this. I loved watching some of these boys playing the game. I loved the boys with technical ability – the (Aiden) McGeadys, (Shaun) Maloneys, (Shunsuke) Nakamuras and (Scott) Browns. I was so lucky to have so many good players to work with over my time there. In fact, I would set up the training sessions knowing fine well I couldn’t wait to watch it or coach it. It was a pleasure to be on the same training pitch as these guys. I’m telling you – these are good players and good men.”

Australia international Rhys Williams has already hailed the new gaffer’s influence and is relishing the prospect of being tutored by one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

“Training has been good.

It’s disciplined and at a higher tempo. The gaffer likes us to play. He wants everyone to have the ball. You can tell that he is a good coach. We are a young set of lads and you can see that he believes he can help us. I want to be more comfortable on the ball, and affecting the game more, and hopefully he will help me with that.”