Alex Jones 
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Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has backed Eddie Howe to remain in English football after talks with Celtic collapsed.
Noting the ‘will he, won’t he’ nature of the Howe saga with Celtic, the club was forced into issuing an official statement following a collapse in talks between Celtic and Howe’s entourage.
Having initially made contact in March, the long-running saga ended up on a public climbdown amid media expectations that Howe was nearing the Parkhead hotseat.
One report even declared that a verbal agreement was in place with only minor details needing to be thrashed out for a deal to be finalised.
Celtic have since turned their attention to Greek-Australian manager Ange Postecoglou who, similarly, is in advanced talks with officials at Celtic Park.
Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish explained his intuitive stance on the Howe saga, issuing a declaration that he simply could not see things working out.
“I always fear the worst when a manager or somebody’s linked very early in the proceedings. It’s will he, won’t he? You’re waiting for ages”, said McLeish.
“We did hear some information in the first few weeks. Eddie was the hot favourite, then it went silent and then it came back again. You could kind of feel in your bones it wasn’t going to happen with Eddie Howe.”
McLeish then discussed the next steps for Howe, indicating it may be a while longer before Howe finds himself managing in the Premier League:
“Eddie may have to bide his time. There’ll be a time when he’ll be twiddling his thumbs, thinking it’s time to get back in there.
“I’m sure he’ll get a post, even if it’s another challenge in the Championship to get the team to the Premier League.
“Waiting for a Premier League club, sometimes you don’t have to wait too long when the Premier League starts.”
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Celtic will be desperate to avoid another embarrassing climbdown in front of the preening eyes of supporters and the media – heightening the pressure to finalise a deal for Postecoglou.
The Yokohama F. Marinos man is certainly a wildcard option with no European success to his CV and doubts over whether he has the necessary UEFA certifications.
However, with the weight of expectations swiftly shifted from Howe’s shoulders to Postecoglou’s, any failure in talks will only serve to unnerve and exacerbate the fears of fans.
