CELTIC bosses have been left frustrated by Eddie Howe after talks to bring the former Bournemouth manager in as Neil Lennon’s successor sensationally collapsed yesterday.

Herald Sport understands that Howe pulled out of the deal to become the new Celtic manager when he couldn’t secure his preferred backroom team to join him in Glasgow.

Celtic insist that they had given Howe free rein to appoint his own staff behind the scenes, vowing to back him to bring in Richard Hughes as Technical Director and whoever else he wanted, including Bournemouth coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone.

It is also understood that suggestions Howe would be forced to work with current interim manager John Kennedy or first-team coach Gavin Strachan were wide of the mark.

Howe informed the club yesterday though that he couldn’t pull his preferred backroom team together, and so would not be moving to Scotland after all, despite his previous assurances to Celtic that he would take on the role.

Celtic released a statement, which read: “Following very positive and detailed discussions with Eddie Howe, with the belief that he would be an excellent candidate for the position of Celtic Manager, we allowed time for the process, given he’d previously made it clear he was not looking to return to management until this summer at the earliest.

“We can now confirm that Eddie will not be joining the Club, for reasons outwith both his and Celtic’s control.

“We wish Eddie success for the future.

“As part of the ongoing process we have engaged with a number of candidates. We fully appreciate our fans will be seeking clarity on this matter and we aim, very shortly, to announce the appointment of a Manager with the quality and desire to take Celtic forward and bring further success to our supporters.”