CELTIC chairman John Reid has promised to appoint "the very best" manager to replace Gordon Strachan.
Reid revealed yesterday a number of candidates are being considered for the role left vacant when Strachan resigned on Monday.
The Parkhead supremo was also adamant no official approach had been made to any club, despite reports Celtic's hitlist included Burnley boss Owen Coyle and West Brom counterpart Tony Mowbray.
So intense has the speculation been, Coyle is now on the brink of signing a new deal at Turfmoor, while the Baggies have issues their second hands-off warning to the Glasgow giants this week.
Reid told his club's official website, www.celticfc.net: "Clearly, Celtic's priority is to appoint the very best candidate.
"We will aim to do this as soon as we possibly can, but we will also do so in a professional, considered manner and ensure that we appoint the correct individual for the club and its supporters.
"It is better to get this right rather than be rushed.
"As the board has done in recent years, through the appointment of Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan, we aim to appoint a manager who will bring continued success to the club.
"We thank our supporters for the tremendous backing they have given the club over the course of the season.
"Inevitably, there will be rumour and speculation in the media surrounding this process, but as soon as the board is in a position to confirm an appointment, we will do so directly to our supporters."
Coyle, who has just led Burnley into the top flight of English football for the first time in 33 years, was believed to be the Hoops' number one target.
Reports claim the 42-year-old held talks with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell earlier this week and it was telling yesterday that he would only deny any "official" approach had been made for his services.
Coyle was a boyhood Hoops fan and the Scottish-born former Republic of Ireland international acknowledged the fears of Burnley fans that he might leave.
He told Sky Sports News: "Obviously, they can see the attraction Celtic would hold to someone like myself, growing up as a Celtic supporter - but it's all hypothetical.
"I'm flattered because it's Celtic you are talking about, given the size of the club, but that's all it was, speculation.
"There was never any approach so I am not going to get into the realms of talking about stuff that doesn't exist."
Coyle's declaration shifted the focus to Mowbray, whose West Brom side have just been relegated from the Premier League.
The former Celtic defender - who invented the famous huddle at Parkhead - has yet to comment on being linked to the job.
But his current club are adamant the 45-year-old is going nowhere.
"We have already made our position very clear on this situation and it has not changed," the Baggies said in a statement.
"We have not received an approach from Celtic for Tony Mowbray, nor would we welcome one.
"Tony is under contract for the next two years and we fully expect him to remain as our manager."
Swansea have also confirmed there has been no approach from Celtic for their manager, Roberto Martinez.
Striker Scott McDonald revealed yesterday the players would like a new boss to be in place as quickly as possible.
The one man who doubtless would be available immediately is Motherwell's Mark McGhee, who is thought to have always harboured a desire to return to his former club.
However, managerless Aberdeen are also believed be circling and Celtic may have to move quickly if they are to secure his services.
The Parkhead supremo was also adamant no official approach had been made to any club, despite reports Celtic's hitlist included Burnley boss Owen Coyle and West Brom counterpart Tony Mowbray.
So intense has the speculation been, Coyle is now on the brink of signing a new deal at Turfmoor, while the Baggies have issues their second hands-off warning to the Glasgow giants this week.
Reid told his club's official website, www.celticfc.net: "Clearly, Celtic's priority is to appoint the very best candidate.
"We will aim to do this as soon as we possibly can, but we will also do so in a professional, considered manner and ensure that we appoint the correct individual for the club and its supporters.
"It is better to get this right rather than be rushed.
"As the board has done in recent years, through the appointment of Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan, we aim to appoint a manager who will bring continued success to the club.
"We thank our supporters for the tremendous backing they have given the club over the course of the season.
"Inevitably, there will be rumour and speculation in the media surrounding this process, but as soon as the board is in a position to confirm an appointment, we will do so directly to our supporters."
Coyle, who has just led Burnley into the top flight of English football for the first time in 33 years, was believed to be the Hoops' number one target.
Reports claim the 42-year-old held talks with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell earlier this week and it was telling yesterday that he would only deny any "official" approach had been made for his services.
Coyle was a boyhood Hoops fan and the Scottish-born former Republic of Ireland international acknowledged the fears of Burnley fans that he might leave.
He told Sky Sports News: "Obviously, they can see the attraction Celtic would hold to someone like myself, growing up as a Celtic supporter - but it's all hypothetical.
"I'm flattered because it's Celtic you are talking about, given the size of the club, but that's all it was, speculation.
"There was never any approach so I am not going to get into the realms of talking about stuff that doesn't exist."
Coyle's declaration shifted the focus to Mowbray, whose West Brom side have just been relegated from the Premier League.
The former Celtic defender - who invented the famous huddle at Parkhead - has yet to comment on being linked to the job.
But his current club are adamant the 45-year-old is going nowhere.
"We have already made our position very clear on this situation and it has not changed," the Baggies said in a statement.
"We have not received an approach from Celtic for Tony Mowbray, nor would we welcome one.
"Tony is under contract for the next two years and we fully expect him to remain as our manager."
Swansea have also confirmed there has been no approach from Celtic for their manager, Roberto Martinez.
Striker Scott McDonald revealed yesterday the players would like a new boss to be in place as quickly as possible.
The one man who doubtless would be available immediately is Motherwell's Mark McGhee, who is thought to have always harboured a desire to return to his former club.
However, managerless Aberdeen are also believed be circling and Celtic may have to move quickly if they are to secure his services.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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