Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has denied performing a U-turn on Celtic.

Howe has admitted for the first time that he backed out of the Celtic job because he wasn't able to bring his backroom staff to Glasgow.

But the newly-appointed Newcastle United manager claimed that he did not perform a last-minute U-turn — and says he was always honest in his dealings with the Parkhead club.

Howe said, "The problem is that I didn't change my mind at the last minute.

"I have not spoken publicly on it because there have been a lot of things said that have been 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 the job of such size, knowing the job needing to be done, on my own. I knew what was needed.

"So there was no change of mind, I was open and honest with everyone connected."

Howe added yesterday: "Celtic were absolutely brilliant and I was open and honest all the way through. No problems with Celtic whatsoever."