Celtic are increasingly confident of appointing Eddie Howe as their new manager, after discussions between the 43-year-old and the club’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond took place in London.
Howe was immediately prominent in Celtic’s thoughts after Neil Lennon left the club in February. There was, however, a sense that Howe, who ended his second tenure at Bournemouth last August, may be unattainable owing to a preference to remain in England.
Now, Celtic’s board believe they are close to agreement with Howe as he plots his return to management. Roy Keane has also been linked with the Celtic post and is known to be highly rated by Desmond.
Howe, though, is the first choice, with the club believing his status is sufficient to re-engage supporters who became disillusioned as Rangers reclaimed the Scottish Premiership title this season.
Celtic are also expected to appoint a sporting director to work alongside a new manager. Fergal Harkin, who currently works at Manchester City, is in the running for that post as is Richard Hughes, who worked in a recruitment role alongside Howe at Bournemouth.