Kris Boyd insists only the Celtic board can be allowed to choose the director of football amid the Eddie Howe waiting game.
The former Bournemouth boss has held discussions with the Parkhead board and is hoping to recruit Richard Hughes as director of football in Glasgow.
The pursuit to find a permanent successor for Neil Lennon is expected to intensify when incoming chief executive Dominic McKay joins from Scottish Rugby next Friday.
However, Boyd has pinpointed the recruitment of Hughes as a trusted lieutenant as a key stumbling block for incoming McKay and Dermot Desmond.
The former Rangers striker reckons the director of football role must be filled by someone who can connect to the board as well as potential manager Howe.
While admitting the dethroned Premiership champions have to bring in someone as soon possible, he told the Sky Sports Scottish Football Podcast that the Celtic Park must have final say on the crucial appointment.
Boyd said: "I think it’s important that Celtic get someone in as soon as possible.
"I don’t think there is any time to waste.
"From what we have been led to believe the whole hold up now is Eddie Howe wants to bring Richard Hughes with him. I can totally understand why.
"A lot of managers when they move clubs want to have a connection there and that’s someone that Eddie Howe trusts and wants to work with him.
"It’s a difficult one this for me. I think Celtic have stated they want to bring in a director of football and for me that’s someone that brings the coaches side and board room together, but that needs to come from Celtic controlling that.
"The Celtic board are the ones running the football club and they need to know exactly what is going on with their club.
"It’s a difficult one for me. I can totally understand where Eddie Howe is coming from, he wants someone he trusts, but for me the director of football has to be driven and led by the football club."
