‘Celtic are too big to be left hanging by Howe’

Frank McAvennie insists Celtic are too big a club to be left hanging by Eddie Howe.

The Parkhead outfit have had talks with the former Bournemouth boss about possibly replacing Neil Lennon, who resigned as Hoops manager in February with Rangers on the way to preventing their Old Firm rivals winning a 10th successive Premiership title.

Reports subsequently claimed Howe is waiting until the summer before he makes a decision about his future.

However, the 61-yearold former Scotland, Celtic and West Ham striker said: “He could say to Celtic, I am coming or sign paperwork to say I’m coming.

“If it is true he is going to speak to Crystal Palace and Newcastle, then I would say no.

“I don’t know if I want him because his heart is not in coming up here then.

“I played in England a long time and people don’t realise down south how big a club Celtic are, and Rangers for that matter.

“They are huge clubs and they won’t know until they get up here and walk through the door and realise how big they are.

“He is a good manager and of course people will be interested in him, but I just hope Celtic have not put all their eggs in one basket because there are a lot of good managers out there.

“You can’t wait until June for Eddie Howe to say no. Celtic is too big a club for that. They shouldn’t wait for anyone in that respect.

“I am sure Dermot (Desmond, principal shareholder) and Peter (Lawwell, outgoing chief executive) and the new chief executive coming in (Dominic McKay) will be talking to different people, I am sure of it. Celtic is a massive club so they won’t be just talking to one guy, surely not?”