Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish believes a Celtic deal for Eddie Howe may already be finalised.
The Lowdown: Howe finalising his backroom staff
Howe, who admitted back in November his next managerial position would have to be one that ‘really motivated’ him, has been heavily linked with the vacant Hoops role over the last six weeks.
Reports back in April suggested that he met with Dermot Desmond in London about taking over at Parkhead and even verbally agreed on a move to Glasgow.
However, he swiftly had second thoughts, although a recent development has claimed he is now finalising his backroom staff ahead of a proposed move north.
The Latest: McLeish’s ‘done deal’ claim
McLeish, 62, was talking to Football Insider about the managerial situation at Parkhead.
He made a huge ‘done deal’ claim on the 43-year-old but admitted fans may have to be patient.
“We hear so many stories. The grapevine is absolutely rabid on who’s coming.
“It’s said it’s going to be Eddie, Eddie’s name has been there for weeks but there’s other people in the frame. Managers from abroad, John Kennedy’s been given a shout.
“We don’t really know because Celtic have been very quiet on it. The talk is of Eddie Howe already been like 15 to 1 odds on or something.
“You would have to think that it’s a done deal if it’s odds like that. We just have to be patient and wait and see what the final decision is for Celtic. The smart money is on Eddie Howe.”
[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-2/" title="Celtic updates!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]
The Verdict: Hoops may have to wait a little longer
Despite, McLeish’s claim, there have been no reports elsewhere suggesting that a move to Glasgow has been officially agreed upon, so we agree with the Scot’s patient admission.
One of the latest stories, which suggested Howe was sorting out his Celtic Park backroom staff, cited three members of staff currently on the books of Bournemouth.
The Cherries will be taking part in the Championship playoffs, which, should they progress to the final, will keep them busy up until the end of May.
That may well end up meaning deals for those staff members on the south coast could have to take place at the end of the month, but it seems as if Howe is indeed in line to become Neil Lennon’s successor, with the club themselves recently revealing they are trying to get a new boss in place as soon as possible, via The Daily Record.
In other news: Hoops in talks for Colts side to join Lowland League, find out more here.