---
title: "Celtic: Nixon addresses Harkin interest"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-nixon-addresses-harkin-interest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-04-17T17:40:07Z"
modified: "2021-04-17T17:40:07Z"
---

# Celtic: Nixon addresses Harkin interest

**Manchester City man Fergal Harkin is the number one target to become Celtic’s new Director of Football.**

And reliable reporter [Alan Nixon](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1383134679205810176) has spoken out on the Hoops’ interest in the Irishman, admitting it is [‘alive and kicking’](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1383134679205810176).

Celtic sources, as reported by [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-celtic-close-to-appointing-harkin-after-new-talks-and-hughes-latest/), suggested that the club are ‘committed’ to get a deal for Harkin over the line, even if it means defying top managerial target Eddie Howe.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”350784″\]

One Celtic fan quizzed Nixon, who writes for [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/author/alan-nixon/), about Harkin and a move to Parkhead on social media, to which he [replied](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1383134679205810176):

> “Been saying that for nearly two months … but does seem to be alive and kicking.”

\[freshpress-poll id=”351721″\]

### Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if a potential swoop for Harkin is really gathering pace, with multiple reporters aware of Celtic’s interest in the [‘massive’](https://www.footballinsider247.com/harkin-massive-celtic-fan-and-key-to-lawwells-son-landing-man-city-job/) Hoops fan.

The 44-year-old has been at the Etihad for 11 years, with Celtic [impressed](https://www.footballinsider247.com/harkin-massive-celtic-fan-and-key-to-lawwells-son-landing-man-city-job/) by his experience and knowledge built up at City.

There could still be scope for Howe to take over from Neil Lennon ahead of the 2021/22 season – the Englishman wanted to bring his former Bournemouth colleague [Richard Hughes](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/6929022/eddie-howe-celtic-who-richard-hughes-bournemouth-appointment-crucial/) with him to Glasgow.

Howe wanted the assurance of having Hughes with him at Celtic Park, and with [head of football operations Nick Hammond resigning](https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/march/Nick-Hammond-leaves-Celtic/) and [recruitment chief Gary Penrice also set for an exit](https://www.footballinsider247.com/penrice-to-follow-hammond-out-of-celtic-exit-door/), maybe Hughes could fill one of those roles to work alongside Harkin and Howe.

***In other news: Celtic open to landing £57k-p/w international in deal for Odsonne Edouard, find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-hoops-open-to-laxalt-and-edouard-swap/).***