Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie believes the Hoops would be a 'joy to watch' if they were to bring in Eddie Howe as their new manager.

McAvennie, who spent four years with the club across two spells, was asked by Football Insider what he made of reports that Celtic had reached out to Howe.

“I would be delighted," he said. "He plays the right brand of football and that is very important.

"We are renowned for our style of football. When I was at Celtic big Billy McNeill told me it is not just about winning, it is about the way that you win. There has to be a bit of cavalier, a bit of style to it.

"I think Eddie Howe would bring that. The brand of football he brought to Bournemouth was a joy to watch."

Why might Celtic be keen on Howe?

Howe is lining up his next managerial project after leaving Bournemouth following their relegation from the Premier League. The Englishman remarkably led the Cherries from the bottom of League Two to the top flight, where they remained for five years (Transfermarkt).

Howe espoused a progressive philosophy at the Vitality Stadium, reluctant to employ the conservative tactics traditionally favoured by promoted/lower mid-table sides.

Celtic, who relinquished to the title to their arch-rivals Rangers at the weekend, are poised to appoint Neil Lennon's long-term replacement this summer.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Relegation was a slightly sorry end to Howe's otherwise sensational tenure at Bournemouth, but this appointment could rightly excite Celtic fans.

His 29.8% win rate in the Premier League doesn't even tell close to the full story. Howe genuinely worked magic with limited resources and, judging by his five-year top-flight tenure with the Cherries, seems more than capable of taking the fight to Steven Gerrard's Gers.

The 43-year-old may have initially anticipated that he would fill a Premier League vacancy, but Celtic retain a considerable pull and he could build his reputation further at Parkhead.

In other news, John Kennedy issued an emphatic warning over one Celtic player targeted by a Premier League club.