While no appointment has been made yet, it does look like Celtic are getting closer to finally bringing Eddie Howe, who has been the favourite for the role for quite some time now, to Parkhead. And it is safe to say that that will be a huge boost to the club in a time when they definitely need one.
If Howe does indeed arrive, he will come with a massive reputation from his time at Bournemouth, whom he guided from the relegation zone of League Two to the Premier League and then kept them up in the English top flight for five straight seasons.
As a result, he is very highly rated and many have even touted him as a future England national team manager. Thus, his appointment would be viewed as a major coup on the part of the Hoops.
Chris Sutton believes that Howe could also have a huge effect on Ryan Christie, who looks set to leave soon, similar to what Brendan Rodgers had on James Forrest. Sutton wrote in his column in the Daily Record:
"Christie was understood to be the subject of interest from Bournemouth a couple of years ago. And we all know who the Bournemouth manager was back then.If Eddie Howe walks in the front door of Celtic Park and tells Christie he’s going to be a main man, it might just sway the situation.Remember the effect Rodgers had on James Forrest? The new boss made a point of singling him out and telling him how important he could be to him and the rest is history.Forrest reacted to that when he looked odds on to leave. Although it’s unlikely I wouldn’t completely rule out the same thing happening with Christie if it is Howe who does indeed arrive."
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Christie has had a difficult season and looks set to leave Celtic soon
Not too many players have enjoyed good campaigns this time around as the entire team has struggled for form. Christie has been no different.
While last season he was looking like one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership, things have looked difficult for him this time around. There is also the fact that he could end up leaving the club in the near future.
It is believed that his current contract will run out at the end of this year, meaning he would be open to talk to clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement this summer itself.
Could Howe coming in change his mind and lead him to staying at Parkhead? That is something only time will tell.