Charlie Nicholas has warned former club Celtic they must walk away from Eddie Howe if they feel he wants too much before agreeing to take the reins at Parkhead.
Talks remain ongoing with the former Bournemouth boss who is understood to want to bring his trusted lieutenant Richard Hughes with him.
Business is set to pick up in the next week or so with Dominic McKay joining Celtic before he succeeds Peter Lawwell as the club's chief executive in the summer.
Howe is expected to be under consideration from the likes of Newcastle and Crystal Palace but 59-year-old Nicholas is adamant his former team can't be held to "ransom" any longer.
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