Rangers legend Craig Moore reckons there could be some agent brinkmanship involved in Celtic's pursuit of Eddie Howe.
The deal to bring the former Bournemouth boss to Parkhead is understood to have hit stumbling blocks in recent days.
Howe's camp released a statement to Sky Sports on Wednesday night insisting a deal is nowhere near being finalised.
Former Rangers centre-back Moore suspects there could be some smoke and mirrors involved as negotiations continue.
He told Go Radio : "It could be the agent putting a little line or two out there to get promotion for his client.
"What is very, very clear, though, is if he was first choice - and I mean that both Eddie Howe and Celtic thought it was the right thing - this would have happened a long, long time ago.
"He's been out of contract since August last season. There's been a little bit of talk that it's down to the sporting director at Bournemouth... there's a lot of different stories.
"But for John Kennedy it must be an absolute nightmare. He just wants to focus on his playing group, getting them playing, getting results and finishing the season in the best possible way.
"But until something is announced he's going to get the questions day in, day out."
