Charlie Nicholas has accused Celtic of 'lacking ambition' by opting to target Ange Postecoglou following the breakdown of Eddie Howe discussions.

The Greek-born Australian coach looks set to take over at Parkhead following failed talks with their top priority Howe.

Nicholas, a former Hoops striker himself, believes the club should have pushed the boat out to bring in a bigger name with a more impressive CV and a proven track record of success.

It has been three months since Neil Lennon left the role as manager and the club put all their eggs in Howe's basket, only for him to knock the job back. But despite the already lengthy timeline and with fixtures fast approaching, Nicholas fears Celtic have scrambled to spring for Postecoglou.

"The impending appointment of Ange Postecoglou is hardly a statement of intent from Celtic," he wrote in his Express column. "There's nothing wrong with having a plan B - but this is not plan B. This is desperation.

"I will give Postecoglou a chance because I'm a supporter but is the former Australia boss really the height of the club's ambitions?

"It has nothing to do with his lack of knowledge of the Scottish game or me looking down on football in the southern hemisphere.

"If this is the man Celtic are bringing in then their fans simply have to accept it. This is where the club is at. It is mind-blowing how far behind the eight ball Celtic seem to be.

"I have said in this column on more than one occasion that they should have approached Xavi or Xabi Alonso. They would have been better, more productive candidates than Eddie Howe. It scares me just how unambitious the club has become, going from a position of strength to where they find themselves now. 

"Luring Postecoglou from Yokohama F Marinos is not quite the same as when Arsene Wenger left Japanese football to join Arsenal in 1996.

"The Parkhead hierarchy have left the club in this situation. I don't blame new chief executive Dominic McKay.

"It's his predecessor Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond who have made such a pig's ear of things in such a short space of time.

"The question is how did they manage to let things slide? Arrogance? Laziness? Complacency? All of the above? With the exception of Brendan Rodgers, their managerial appointments have been made in haste.

"The lack of football knowledge among tthose holding the purse strings has now come back to bite them.

"It is so alarming that Celtic have fallen to this level."