Celtic are closing in on the appointment of Eddie Howe after he knocked back two Premier League clubs.
Record Sport can exclusively reveal the parties are in advanced talks, with the former Bournemouth manager now the clear frontrunner to replace Neil Lennon.
It would mark a major coup for Celtic to land highly sought-after Howe, who earlier this week declined the chance to succeed Chris Wilder at Sheffield United.
The 43-year-old knocked back the vacant Blades position and one other top-flight side, currently with a manager in position.
He has now emerged as the number one candidate to succeed Lennon in what would be a major development in the club's ongoing rebuild.
Howe forged a reputation as one of football's most promising young coaches during a storied eight-year stint at the Vitality Stadium.
He guided the Cherries from obscurity in League One to as high as ninth in the Premier League.
A difficult season in 2019/20 ended in relegation and Howe decided to walk away.
He's been out of work since August 2020 and has been waiting on the right opportunity to return to the game.
And he could now be the man to lead Celtic forward into a new era.
