Former Celtic star Davie Provan believes a deal is already done for Eddie Howe - as the club wouldn't open themselves up to the "embarrassment" of being rejected.
The former Bournemouth boss is the clear front-runner to replace Neil Lennon as manager but with just two games of the season to go no announcement has been forthcoming.
That's led to speculation that Howe is waiting for a job in the English Premier League, with Roy Hodgson likely to leave Crystal Palace in the summer.
But Provan is confident that a deal is already in place, insisting Celtic wouldn't be sitting around and waiting for a decision that may not go their way.
He said on Go Radio: "I don't think for a moment Dermot Desmond would have exposed himself to the possibility of being embarrassed by Eddie Howe. And Eddie Howe himself has chosen not to rule himself out.
"So reading between the lines I think there's an agreement, I think it's a done deal.
"I'm pretty sure Celtic will be working away in the background to beef that squad up because it's going to be a wholesale change of the type that we haven't seen for a long, long time."
While Howe remains the clear frontrunner for the job, fans have been left frustrated with a lack of communication over the vacant position.
Provan continued: "I'm sure Dermot Desmond will be aware that it doesn't look good and that makes me all the more convinced that a deal has been done with Eddie Howe and that they're working behind the scenes.
"I'm pretty sure that's the case.
"I don't think for a moment that Eddie Howe is going to take a Crystal Palace, I don't think Dermot Desmond would leave himself open to that embarrassment."
