Celtic manager latest: Hoops chief offers hunt update amid Eddie Howe rumours

Interim boss John Kennedy has called for patience as the search for a new Celtic manager continues.

The Hoops have spoken to former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe about becoming their new manager but as yet no appointment has been made and reports claim that talk of a deal being imminent is extremely premature.

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Howe’s representative was quoted by Sky Sports as saying the 43-year-old isn’t close to any appointment, adding that there was ‘significant interest’ in the manager with Crystal Palace eyeing up potential replacements for Roy Hodgson in the summer.

Reports elsewhere also suggest that Howe wants Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes to join his backroom team at Parkhead, but Glasgow-born Hughes’ reluctance to move to Scotland is an issue.

Consequently, speculation surrounds the role vacated by Neil Lennon on February 23 when Celtic’s bid for a record-breaking 10 successive Premiership titles was on its way to being ended by Old Firm rivals Rangers.

Ahead of the home Premiership game against Livingston on Saturday, Kennedy said: “Ultimately the club have to make the right decision for the greater good of the club going forward.

“Do you just name a manager now who they might think isn’t quite right for the sake of the season books or do they make sure they make the right decision long term?

“I know it is difficult without clarity, I understand that.

“People probably expect those behind the scenes should let everyone know everything but some things have to remain private to the point when decisions are ready to be made. But we have just got to be patient at this time.

“It has been a difficult season, everyone understands that but the club wants to do the right thing moving forward and sometimes that takes a bit longer than everyone would like but we have to be patient on that.”

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Kennedy revealed close-season plans are already being made but admits any restructuring of the squad needs to be “put on hold.”

He said: “There are things that are part of natural processes in terms of what we do pre-season, the start back date, which we have to have a plan for.

“If there is change they (new manager) might come in and make minor changes to that but in the main it is pretty much making sure things are in place for a successful pre-season.

“Obviously then there is squad decisions but again that will need to be put on hold.

“But behind that, there is a lot of work in terms of preparation to make sure that whoever is making the decision has got options.

“In terms of us, it is a case of focusing on the football, preparing for games and let the hierarchy deal with the behind the scenes stuff.”

Celtic have been linked with a host of big-name managers since Lennon’s departure, including Roy Keane, Rafa Benitez and Chris Wilder.