“The problem, however, is that he will be trying to grasp a moving target.

“Gerrard won’t stand still. It’s simply not in his personality. He has raised the bar in the Scottish Premiership this season and will continue to try and do so.

“This year’s title is just the start of his ambitions at Rangers. He’s clear about that. Celtic are facing a huge turnover this summer but their rivals are able to build from a position of strength.

“We know Celtic fans around the world are looking for a response to this season as quickly as possible. That’s perfectly understandable.

“But are they, and Celtic as a club, prepared to offer Howe time? It’s a quantity that’s always in short supply in Glasgow. But I think he will need it once the deal is finalised.

“For Celtic, this campaign has come as a huge shock after so many years of winning.

“Have they got it in them to accept that they might have to wait a year – or maybe two – for a new manager to build, implement his ideas and create his own squad before he is truly able to come good?

“To me, that’s the biggest question of all. And I imagine it was one Howe might have been asking in his conversations with Dermot Desmond and other senior figures at Celtic.

“Howe could be a very good capture by Celtic but the reverse is true. What a stage Glasgow provides.

“Rodgers proved that before. But so, too, has Gerrard.

“The Rangers manager will not easily give up his hard-won crown. For Howe, this all-English battle may well define the next stage of his career.”