Ange Postecoglou could be Celtic manager in a matter of days according to Craig Moore.
And the former Rangers defender insists the attitudes being shown towards the former Australia boss are lazy.
After a deal for Eddie Howe failed, Postecoglou emerged as the new favourite last week.
Moore knows the 55-year-old well and reckons the only thing holding up the appointment is negotiations with current club Yokohama Marinos.
He told Go Radio: “I think the only thing potentially holding this back is compensation.
“He’s under contract at his club and I imagine they’re working through that at this moment on time.
“But if he is the man then I’d be pretty confident that this will be concluded within three to five days.
“I’ve had some texts back and forward (with him) about the scenario that hopefully will play out for Ange in a successful way.
“After the last three months with Celtic and the news about Eddie Howe, everyone just thought it was a given.
“That has obviously fallen through for whatever reason - I’m not privvy to that - but after the strong coverage in the last 24 hours it would suggest to me Ange is very close to doing a deal with Celtic.
“I can’t believe Celtic would allow a candidate like this to fall through for the second time in succession.”
Despite his allegiance to the blue side of Glasgow, Moore would like to see Postecoglou succeed - just not too much.
And he confirmed that he recommended him to the selection panel when Scotland were on the hunt for a new manager.
“He will improve Celtic significantly, I have absolutely no doubt about that,” Moore said.
“Celtic will challenge Rangers next season but I played for Rangers and I support them so Celtic improving under Ange and coming a close second is a win-win!
“He’s a coach I know a lot of people in the UK are struggling to find out or know much about him but to be honest that’s a bit lazy because when you actually do a bit of research he’s been a winner.
“Eddie Howe is no more or less a name than Ange Postecoglou because he had no experience in Scotland and until you cross the border into Scotland, and in particular Glasgow where you’re only ever one game away from a disaster, then it’s sink or swim.
“That will always be the question asked of anyone coming from outwith Scotland but the smart ones surround themselves with a good support network.
“This is a coach I pushed to Mike Mulraney for the Scotland national team job when it came up last time.
“People might ask what knowledge he has of Scottish football but he was national team coach of Australia so he was watching Jackson Irvine when he was at Ross County and Tommy Rogic at Celtic.”
