Which individuals are the top prospects for the Glasgow Celtic head coach job?

Following Brendan Rodgers' resignation as Celtic manager on Monday, several potential successors have emerged as potential long-term successors for the former boss.

Celtic moved quickly to appoint former manager Martin O'Neill as temporary boss—two decades after his first stint in charge of the Scottish club ended.

Sunday's 3-1 defeat at table-toppers Hearts was Celtic's back-to-back Premiership loss, leaving them eight points behind in second place, while they have won just two of their previous seven matches in all competitions.

O'Neill, 73, has played down speculation he could assume the job on a full-time basis—insisting he is merely "keeping the seat warm."

A number of potential appointees have reportedly begun to surface for the position, including some names with close links to the club.

Kieran McKenna

Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has emerged as an attractive prospect to get Celtic back on a positive track.

However, sources have suggested that Celtic could face a substantial financial cost to secure the young manager.

McKenna signed a new multi-year contract at Ipswich in the 2024 off-season, said to be worth around £5 million pounds per season.

Furthermore, it is understood he has a sizable buyout clause that Celtic may be obliged to meet if they choose to formalise their inquiry.

It remains to be seen whether McKenna is prepared to leave English football to forge a new phase in Scotland—though those close to the situation have indicated the manager would be receptive to a move.

Ipswich are currently mid-table in the Championship following last season's drop from the Premier League.

McKenna was among the contenders for the Brentford head coach job in the summer after Thomas Frank's departure, but the position was filled from within by Keith Andrews.

The Former Celtic Boss

Ange Postecoglou is available again after a brief and unsuccessful stint at Nottingham Forest.

The Australian, who was dismissed by Tottenham at the end of the 2024-25 season, lasted just 39 days at the City Ground and became the shortest-serving permanent Premier League manager.

Postecoglou did not secure a victory in any of his eight matches in charge of Forest, with two ties and six defeats in all competitions, but he is still revered by the Celtic fanbase and is available.

He spent a pair of campaigns in charge of Celtic between 2021 and 2023 and led the club to a domestic treble in his following campaign.

Robbie Keane

Former forward Robbie Keane also fits the bill as an additional candidate with close links to Celtic and someone who fully understands the club.

Keane scored 16 goals in 19 games for the Scottish giants during a temporary stay in 2010 and was named Celtic's Player of the Year for 2009-10.

The Republic of Ireland international retired in November 2018 after a short stint as playing coach at Indian Super League club ATK.

In 2023, Keane was named manager of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv and guided them to a league and cup double last year.

He took over at Hungarian team Ferencvaros in January and claimed the league title during his inaugural season.

It is understood Keane would be open to the Celtic opening.

The Wales National Team Manager

Craig Bellamy took his first steps into management in 2024 with the Wales team and is also thought to have admirers at Celtic.

The 46-year-old scored eight goals in 14 matches for the Scottish side during a temporary stay in 2005.

Bellamy has managed 14 games with Wales—winning six, drawing four, and losing four—and is reportedly committed to the position.

Wales are third in their World Cup group for the 2026 World Cup and assured at least a playoff spot, so luring him away from the national side could prove challenging.

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill spent five years in charge of Celtic between 2000 and 2005—securing seven honors, among them three Premiership titles.

The Northern Irishman's most recent role in the dugout was with Nottingham Forest. He succeeded Aitor Karanka in January 2019 with the club in ninth place in the Championship and was dismissed at the end of the season with Forest sitting in the identical position.

Speaking on Tuesday, O'Neill said, "I can't emphasise this enough, this is short term, until a full-time manager is selected."

O'Neill's first assignment comes on Wednesday when Celtic welcome sixth-placed Falkirk at 19:45 GMT.