Reliable reporter Alan Nixon believes Celtic’s move for Eddie Howe is 'agonisingly close', but warned now could be ‘the most dangerous moment’.

The Lowdown: Howe announcement imminent?

With Bournemouth’s season coming to an end last weekend after losing to Brentford, that seemed to give Celtic the perfect opportunity to tie up deals for Howe and members of staff down on the south coast.

The Englishman was poised to bring coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone with him to Scotland, along with technical director Richard Hughes.

As we all know, a deal is yet to be officially announced by the Hoops, who admitted earlier this week they were hoping to finalise an appointment shortly.

The Daily Mail shared a story on Thursday morning, believing an announcement was imminent.

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The Latest: Nixon responds to Celtic fan

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was asked by a Hoops supporter on Thursday afternoon if Howe’s backroom staff would make or break a deal.

He swiftly replied, saying:

“Staff has been an issue for weeks. Bournemouth season now over. So it’s agonisingly close. But sometimes that’s the most dangerous moment.”

The Verdict: Hoops can’t let this slip

In our opinion, Celtic cannot afford to let a deal for Howe to fall through the net.

They first met the 43-year-old at the beginning of April, so the process is approaching two whole months to get a deal completed.

Should a deal collapse, that may leave the Hoops back at square one just months before the start of the new season.

Howe appears to be the man they have wanted all along, so, in our view, they must do whatever it takes at this point to force a move over the line.

In other news: 'Something must have happened' - 43 y/o reacts as 'very strange' off-field Celtic update emerges, find out more here.