Chris Sutton and Ally McCoist hilariously sparred over Celtic's managerial situation as the pair debated why Eddie Howe hasn't been named as boss yet.
The Englishman has been identified as the top target to replace Neil Lennon but talks have hit a snag.
Howe's representatives have made clear that he won't be taking a job until the summer, with some Celtic fans fearing they may not get their man.
McCoist and Sutton 's good-natured ribbing is compelling viewing and the pair locked horns on the subject of the new Parkhead boss.
Speaking on BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra, the pair duked it out with Darrell Currie as mediator.
Darrell Currie: You heard the representative of Eddie Howe saying that at the moment no deal is close, certainly no deal would be done this season. It's not exactly what the Celtic fans wanted to hear.
Chris Sutton: No it's not but these things are always going to take time. I think from Eddie Howe's point of view he's in the strongest position when he first goes into a club so he has to make sure that everything is absolutely right.
Celtic are in a position where the club needs a massive overhaul, so for Celtic to put Rangers back in their place - which Eddie Howe obviously thinks that they can do when he comes up - he needs everything in place.
He needs a war chest, Celtic need a big overhaul of the squad so he has to make sure things are right.
DC: But Chris you said many times if a manager is available now, why is he not in the Celtic job now? He's available now, there's a big cup game around the corner as I'm sure you've noticed.
CS: Yes, there is a big cup game. Another favourable draw for Rangers - were you doing the draw, Ally? I didn't watch the draw but it was amazing stuff.
DC: No, he wasn't.
CS: Darrell these are two totally different things aren't they? While it was Celtic's priority to get a manager in as soon as possible, from Eddie Howe's point of view that doesn't suit.
Eddie Howe has to take his time, he looks to be the number one candidate and everything has to be spot on from his point of view.
I don't think we can argue with that, it isn't a job where somebody is walking in where the squad is in great shape - far from it.
So get things right and then next season wham McCoist and his boys.
Ally McCoist: Unless he needs a wee bit more convincing...
There is absolutely no reason for him not to be in the job right now, which as Chris correctly says is a massive job.
There'll be a turnaround in personnel and staff, that's very, very clear.
So unless there's something else that he's not happy about...
I don't get it. If Eddie Howe's the man Celtic want, and Eddie Howe wants to go to Celtic, it should be done! It's as simple as that.
So there's clearly something preventing Eddie Howe from being announced and finalised and I don't know what it is.
CS: It's a big ask isn't it, to come in a week or however long before a one-off cup game, to come in and be expected to galvanise the team.
From Celtic's point of view that's what you want but look at it from Eddie Howe's point of view! That's what you two numbskulls aren't getting!
Eddie Howe, in his situation, is saying 'you've got to give me what I want, then I will come'.
It's up to Celtic to give him that.
AM: Right, so effectively you're agreeing with me?
CS: Who are you pointing at?
AM: There's something not right, yes?
So you've finally, in show 511, you've finally agreed with me! There's something not right or he would have signed!
There's my point, Darrell!
DC: What is it that's not right, Chris? Do we assume it's the director of football?
CS: Well how do I know?!
DC: Because we're speculating, that's what we do on this show. But let me ask you this, Chris: if it's about getting a director of football in place that he wants to work with, often clubs get a director of football in place first before they appoint a manager. Because if it goes wrong then you don't have to change the entire staff behind the scenes.
CS: Yeah but, do we agree that Eddie Howe is the number one target? The guy that Celtic want? It looks that way.
So if that is the case Eddie Howe is saying 'you've got to give me everything, you've got give me a director of football that I am comfortable working with'.
And I get that. Celtic are in a mess, they need a huge overhaul and Eddie Howe's just saying 'give me the tools and I'll hammer Rangers into place next season!'.
