Tony Mowbray has revealed his admiration for Arsene Wenger ahead of Celtic's Champions League clash with Arsenal.

The latest all-British encounter in Europe's premier club competition was confirmed yesterday when the two sides were paired together in a play-off for a place in the group phase.

Hoops boss Mowbray and Gunners counterpart Wenger have both come under fire in the past for being two wedded to attractive football, sometimes at the expense of results.

But Mowbray had nothing but kind words for the philosophy of the man he will pit his wits against over two legs later this month.

"I have huge respect for Arsene and the job he's done at Arsenal," Mowbray told his club's official website, www.celticfc.net. "He's had a lot of success at the club and has built a side that plays the game in the right way.

"They don't spend the millions on players that other English clubs do, but they play with a real style and always try to entertain. That's down to Arsene and his philosophies."

Mowbray's sentiments were echoed by assistant Mark Venus, who added: "Anyone who's a football purist has to have great respect for the job Arsene Wenger's done.

"He brings the young players through and he doesn't try to buy ready-made footballers to win leagues. I don't think he's got the finances to do that.

"I think his model - how he brings them through and how they play - everyone has to stand up and take notice of it.

"We admire it no end."

Despite this, Mowbray has vowed to leave no stone unturned as he tries to mastermind a shock win over Wenger's young side.

"We will be doing everything we possibly can to get to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League," he said.

"The club has had a lot of success in the tournament in recent years and we will try to continue that."

Former Arsenal captain and Scotland defender Frank McLintock believes the Gunners must show no fear in the first leg at Celtic Park.

Glasgow-born McLintock, 69, reckons Arsenal should put on a strong showing to secure a result to defend back at the Emirates Stadium.

He said: "It will be a cracking tie because the Celtic supporters are so noisy and passionate.

"But if you are going to get anywhere in these types of competitions, we never used to worry about whether we were playing away from home first or not.

"There seems to be a lot of talk about that in modern-day football, but I do not know why because it never entered our minds.

"We just gave our best in every performance, played it tight and tried to attack when we could."