Finance expert Kieran Maguire believes Celtic’s search for a new manager will step up a gear over the coming days.

That’s because Dominic McKay will begin his role as the Hoops’ new chief executive on Monday.

McKay, who will replace Peter Lawwell when he retires in the summer, will join the club earlier than planned.

He was scheduled to link up with Celtic in July, however, he will now move to Parkhead earlier than planned to ensure a smooth transition.

The Hoops are yet to announce a long-term replacement for Neil Lennon, and Maguire, talking to Football Insider, believes that process will ‘accelerate’ over the coming days.

“Things will accelerate when they get the new chief exec in.

“He’ll be wanting to interview and recruit people who he knows he can work with on a partnership level and a leadership level.

“The quicker he arrives, the quicker those decision can be made.

“Clubs already have their plans in place for summer recruitment. So to have left it to 1 July as was originally planned would have made the summer activity more difficult.

“So it makes sense to get him in as soon as possible.”

Transfer Tavern take

We agree with Maguire’s comments regarding the club’s hunt for a new manager. It makes perfect sense for McKay to have a major say on the next boss, as he’ll have to work closely with whoever it may be in the long run.

Fergal Harkin will also have to be fully on board with the managerial appointment. The Irishman looks set to become the club’s new director of football and could well be a key figure going forward.

McKay, Harkin and the new boss appear to be the key men in a Parkhead rebuild, and, following McKay’s Monday arrival, we may see things start to progress.

In other news: Hoops keen on signing £57k-p/w ace this summer in deal for Odsonne Edouard, find out more here.