Hamilton manager Billy Reid has backed Tony Mowbray to make a success of the Celtic job - but has warned that the Hoops boss will need time to make a difference.

Mowbray took over from Gordon Strachan in the summer and is already feeling the pressure that comes with being an Old Firm boss.

Uninspiring results in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League - they head into the weekend action trailing a Rangers side who have also dropped points this season - combined with disappointment on the European stage means some fans are already questioning whether he is the right man for the job.

The latest blow came in the shape of Thursday night's 1-0 defeat to Hamburg in the Europa League, which leaves Celtic with little hope of progressing from the group.

However, Reid - who was at Parkhead for the match - insists the criticism which is coming Mowbray's way at the moment is nothing new.

The Accies boss said: "I thought some of the stick Gordon Strachan got was totally unjust, I thought the guy did a fantastic job.

"Tony Mowbray has come into the job and his team plays slightly differently from Gordon Strachan's and I think he will take time to bed things in.

"But that's the way he sets his team out to play and I don't think Tony will change for anybody.

"Tony Mowbray is a fantastic person and he's a good manager and he will get it right - I guarantee that."

Rangers have also suffered heavy criticism this week in the wake of their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni.

Reid believes trying to compete in Europe, while mounting a challenge in the SPL, is taking its toll on both halves of the Old Firm this season.

He said: "The two clubs are fighting on both fronts this season in terms of Europe and the league.

"Their squads aren't as big as they used to be when they were able to rotate a little bit.

"The same players are having to play for them every week and it's quite hard to do that on both fronts. I think that's got a bearing on it.

"No disrespect to them but they've probably not got the strength and depth and quality they have had in previous seasons and that has been a factor.

"But take nothing away from them, they've got better players than we've got and that's no disrespect to our players.

"That is always going to be the case and we are heavy underdogs this weekend but we're fairly confident we can cause a surprise."

Accies' cause could be aided on Sunday if skipper Alex Neil makes his first appearance of the season after undergoing hip surgery in the summer.

Reid said: "Alex Neil trained this week. The game may be a bit soon for him but he may feature in the squad.

"Even this week, having him training for the first time this season has been great.

"A lot of the new players don't even know Alex Neil on the park and he has made an impression. He is a big, big player for us.

"He is ready to feature and we have some big games coming up."