Bartley believes Eddie Howe to Celtic is a realistic possibility

Second time luck for Eddie Howe to Celtic?

Eddie Howe was once close to being named as manager of Celtic Football club, only for concerns over his coaching staff to kibosh what would have been a sensational appointment at that time.

But it was a sliding doors moment that led to Ange Postecoglou being hastily appointed by a panicked Celtic hierarchy rather than the Englishman, and the rest as they say is history. Talk about landing in your feet!

Door could be open for Eddie Howe

Now according to the Stenhousemuir manager and regular Scottish footballing pundit Marvin Bartley, the door could be open for Eddie Howe to appointed Celtic manager in the event of Martin O’Neill deciding to call it a day during this international break after three terrible defeats.

Three back-to-back defeats has left Martin O’Neill considering his position

Celtic lost to the Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup at Ibrox, Ferencvaros in the Europa League opener at Celtic Park and then again to the Rangers in the Scottish Premiership last Sunday and those results and the performances of his Celtic team has left Martin contemplating whether he should call it a day.

Englishman Bartley knows Eddie Howe well having played under him at Bournemouth, and he believes that the former Newcastle United manager would be interested in the Celtic job should Martin O’Neill decides to step down during the international break.

Eddie Howe loves that big club feel

Bartley told Clyde One Superscoreboard: “I wouldn’t be as surprised as others if Eddie Howe ended up at Celtic. Yes he’s from the south of England but he loves that big club feel.

“When he went to Newcastle, I don’t think he realised how big they were. Celtic are a different level to them. I think that sort of thing could interest him

“I don’t think his next move will be based purely on finances, it will be the size of the club and the project and if he’s going to be given all the keys to go and sign the players he wants and not be told who to sign.

“He needs to be a manager, he won’t accept being a head coach. He already spends a lot of time in Scotland playing all the golf courses.”

Interesting words from the former Livingston and Queen of the South manager.

It’s only one man’s opinion of course, but Bartley knows Eddie Howe well, and believes the Celtic job would be a challenge he would relish should the opportunity arise.

Craig Bellamy and Kieran McKenna are both viable options for Celtic

Other names currently being mentioned are the Wales manager Craig Bellamy and Kieran McKenna who is currently taking a sabbatical from the game after leading Ipswich Town back into the Premier League.

All three are much more exciting prospects that the dreadful disappointing list that a bookmaker released earlier in the week.