Mowbray left Parkhead last week in the wake of an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at St Mirren, with reserve team manager Neil Lennon replacing him until the end of the season.

The Hoops` defender claimed the former Hibernian and West Brom boss might have paid the price for his criticism of his players early in the season when he claimed his squad lacked quality.

Hinkel said: "Tony was a good guy. He was honest.

"He was maybe even too honest at the beginning when he said what he thought.

"Sometimes in this business you shouldn't be so honest.

"He was a good person who wanted to do all he could for the club.

"He is a good manager but it didn`t work."