EDDIE HOWE has denied a last-minute U-turn on a move to become Celtic boss in the summer.
The newly-appointed Newcastle boss has insisted he didn't have a change of heart over a move as he blasted "totally untrue" reports of his negotiations with Celtic.
Howe, who accepted the role at St James' Park under the new Saudi-rich owners, was speaking out about his dealing with Parkhead chiefs for the first time today.
And he claims he was "open and honest" with the Celtic board and stated he didn't take the role because he couldn't secure his preferred backroom team.
Questioned on his drawn-out talks with Celtic, Howe told the media: “The problem there is I didn’t change my mind at the last minute.
“Obviously I have not spoken publicly on it and it’s been difficult because a lot of things that were said were totally untrue.
“I couldn’t get my backroom team together to go to Celtic for a host of different reasons.
“And I didn’t want to take a job of such size on my own.
“I felt I wouldn’t have been able to give Celtic what it needed.
“There was no change of mind, I was very open and honest with Celtic.”
Celtic had issued at statement at the time citing reasons outwith the club or Howe's control as they turned focus to appointing Ange Postecoglou.
Howe did however praise the Celtic board for their conduct during the talks as he hailed them as "terrific" and absolved them of any blame in the collapsed deal.
Howe, as reported by The Scottish Sun, added: “It was no fault of Celtic.
“They were brilliant with me and I like to think I was open and honest with them all the way through."
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