John Barnes reckons top managerial candidate Eddie Howe will hold out for a job in England's Premier League even if the Celtic role becomes available.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon is under serious pressure after a number of bad results and equally poor performances. Club chiefs have given the manager a vote of confidence despite a fan protest outside Parkhead on Sunday, but a decision could be made on the boss's future should the losses continue.

Bookies have already priced up a number of potential replacements who could come in and do a job, and former Bournemouth manager Howe's name appears at the top of the list alongside Gordon Strachan. 

But Barnes - who managed Celtic in 1999/2000 - reckons the Englishman is more likely to want a position at a club down south and may not fancy 'jumping' at the Parkhead job too soon. "Eddie Howe would be a fantastic fit, but it’s a matter of whether he feels it’s the right job for him, at this stage," Barnes said. "At the end of the day, it’s really the English Premier League where you want to be. 

"So rather than jumping at an opportunity, similar to what Brendan Roger’s did, he may want to hold out until he finds the right role in England. But never say never; and to be honest, I wouldn’t rule it out."

Another manager lined up on the list of bookies' potentials is former Everton boss Marco Silva. And Barnes believes the Portuguese coach would also be a decent fit. Though he is sure Lennon will be given some time to change the club's fortunes. "Celtic is a great club but they’re struggling at the moment," he added. 

"However, it’s not as if they've necessarily been in a rut in the last few years.  As club, they’ve got good enough players to get out of it. Maybe they've just been a bit complacent because it's been so easy for them over the last nine years. And as much as Rangers are a much stronger team now, posing a bigger challenge has put pressure on them, which means that obviously under pressure they've buckled because of the pressure. 

"But Marco Silva would be a good manager as well. Him and Eddie Howe are good managers, and Celtic's a great club with good enough players to play better than what they are just now. Having said that, I'm sure that Neil Lennon will be given enough time to turn this around."

There were ugly scenes outside the stadium after Celtic's 2-0 loss to Ross County in the Betfred Cup, with three police officers injured amid fan protests. There had been fears among some fans and pundits that possible suitors for the job should it become available might be put off by the chaos.

But Barnes is sure the club's reputation outweighs any issues off the field, including the sight of supporters in uproar over Lennon's future. "Would the scenes put anyone off? I don't think so because the pressure of a Premier League manager is even greater. But yes, there’s definitely a little bit added pressure up in Scotland but the pressure of being a manager full stop is great in itself. 

"You will see that the Sunderland manager has just been fired, so regardless of where you are you know the pressure is there. But what I do think is that for any manager with experience, and who believe in himself and his own ability, would take on Celtic in a heartbeat with the knowledge that he could turn the club around because at the end of the day, it’s a team with great players and great potential. 

"Did they underestimate what was coming their way this season? Yes they did! Can they turn things around under Neil Lennon? Yes - I’m absolutely sure they can."

Barnes was speaking to Bonuscodebets.co.uk.