Eddie Howe to Celtic will be "sorted" claims Charlie Austin as he predicted the former Bournemouth boss to be a success in Glasgow.
Austin, who played under Howe during his time at Burnley, heaped praise on the frontrunner to replace Neil Lennon at Celtic Park.
The former Bournemouth boss has held discussions with the Celtic board and is hoping to recruit former Cherries chief Richard Hughes as director of football in Glasgow.
English striker and pundit Austin reckons the deal may be done behind the scenes already with the club holding fire on the announcement until the end of the campaign.
He told the Go Radio Football Show that he expects the decision to hold off on confirmation has been made to allow John Kennedy to see out the season without Howe's arrival hanging over him.
When asked about why the club would hold off on the announcement, Austin said: "Maybe because he wants to get the season over and done and start afresh so it’s not John Kennedy’s team, it is not Neil Lennon’s team and it is not the old guard.
“Celtic would have had their ideas what they’re going to do in the summer.
"Eddie will have his plans already in place in what he’s going to do during the summer.
“If he’s to come in and be the head coach for Celtic as soon as the seasons finished, then they start afresh and the real rebuild from day one after the season’s finished. So it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s what’s going on.
"The speculation, John Kennedy doesn’t need, he’ll be sick of being asked the question."
When pushed on the issue with signing up players, Austin: “I think they’ve got it sorted. They’re not going to come out and say Eddie Howe is gonna be the manager or they’ve got someone else lined up ASAP.
"It wouldn’t surprise me that the day after the season or two days after they announced the manager. It really wouldn’t.”
Critics of Howe point to his spell at his disappointing spell at Burnley as a reason why he may not be a success in the powderkeg Scottish football environment.
Austin reckons if he is allowed time he will be able to revitalise the club after Rangers dethroned them as Premiership champions.
He added: "I see people saying the job is too big for Eddie, but if you look at the managers that have been there over the last 10 years, Eddie will be the best one suited for the job.
"It’s going to be a rebuild. Celtic aren’t going to overturn it in one season, are they? Lets be honest.
"He’d be the perfect manager to go in and rebuild the football club. Give him two or three years and he will have them laying a glove on Rangers again.
"The Celtic job isn’t an overnight one."
