Steven Pressley has suggested Eddie Howe should wait until the summer before joining Celtic as their new manager.

The former Bournemouth boss has been linked with the Hoops and looks likely to become their new leader after private discussions with Dermot Desmond and incoming chief executive Dominic McKay.

Pressley - who played for Celts between 2006 and 2008 - reckons Howe should hold off until the season is over to allow him a fresh start to make sure he gives himself the best opportunity to succeed. And for Elvis, that comes down to keeping the demanding support onside from the get-go.

"Firstly, what do Celtic want?" Pressley queried on BBC Sportsound. "Do they want him to come in now if they agree a deal in principle, or do they want him to come in the summer? I think from Eddie’s perspective, it depends what type of manager he is. 

"Make no mistake, when you go into Celtic you are going to be judged from day one, and how big an impact can you have on that squad in a short space of time? At least if he comes in fresh in the summer he gets a chance to work with the players that he’s going to be working with moving forwards. 

"He’s able to start building the culture, the style of play, all the aspects of his management in a period of relatively unpressured games, and then he starts the season, in my opinion, in a much better place. That for me is the correct process and makes perfect sense."