Celtic were handed a blow in their pursuit of Eddie Howe on Wednesday. However, it seems as if the Hoops have their own concerns regarding the former Bournemouth boss.

Sky Sports were informed by Howe’s representative that the 43-year-old isn’t planning to return to the dugout until the summer at the earliest.

This comes after reports suggested that Howe was set to be announced by the Hoops at some point this week after ironing out finer details over a Parkhead switch.

Celtic’s Howe doubts emerge

In a report from Football Insider on Thursday, a Hoops source actually revealed that it is not just Howe who is holding up proceedings - the club themselves aren’t convinced over the former Cherries man.

They suggest that Celtic aren’t sure the Englishman is willing to deal with the pressure and scrutiny of managing a club where the expectation is to win every match, yet another fresh twist in what is fast becoming quite the saga.

Transfer Tavern take

We’re not so sure that Celtic now have their doubts on Howe, as the latest report suggests.

Dermot Desmond made Howe his number one target for the vacant role following face-to-face talks in London just last week, and it seems bizarre that a little dithering from the manager's end would cause the club to completely change course.

However, it seems as if Howe won’t return until the summer, but hopefully, when he does, he’ll be in the Parkhead hot-seat.

In other news: Report shares Celtic's Howe alternative, find out who it is here