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

Celtic acted swiftly to appoint former manager Martin O'Neill as interim boss—20 years after his initial spell in charge of the Scottish club concluded.

Sunday's 3-1 loss at league leaders Hearts was Celtic's second successive Premiership loss, putting them eight points behind in second place, while they have secured only two victories of their previous seven matches across all competitions.

O'Neill, 73, has played down suggestions he could take up the job on a full-time basis—stating he is merely "holding the fort."

A number of candidates have reportedly begun to surface for the position, among them some figures with close links to Parkhead.

The Ipswich Town Head Coach

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has emerged as an attractive candidate to get Celtic back on a positive track.

However, insiders have indicated that Celtic could encounter a substantial financial cost to secure the young manager.

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

Additionally, it is understood he has a significant release clause that Celtic may be obliged to meet if they decide to formalise their inquiry.

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

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

McKenna was one of the contenders for the Brentford manager's job in the off-season after Thomas Frank's exit, but the position was filled from within by Keith Andrews.

The Former Celtic Boss

Ange Postecoglou is back on the market after a short and disappointing spell at Nottingham Forest.

The Australian, who was dismissed by Tottenham at the conclusion of the previous season, lasted just 39 days at the club 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 draws and six losses across all competitions, but he is still revered by the Celtic fanbase and is free.

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 striker Robbie Keane also qualifies as another option with strong links to Celtic and someone who fully knows the club.

Keane scored 16 goals in 19 appearances 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 hung up his boots in November 2018 following a short stint as player-manager at Indian Super League club ATK.

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

He took over at Hungarian team Ferencvaros in January and won the championship during his inaugural season.

It is believed Keane would be receptive to the Celtic vacancy.

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy began his journey into management in 2024 with the Wales team and is also understood to have supporters at Celtic.

The 46-year-old scored eight goals in 14 appearances for the Scottish side during a loan spell in 2005.

Bellamy has overseen 14 games with Wales—securing six victories, drawing four, and suffering four defeats—and is reportedly committed to the position.

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

The Interim Manager

Martin O'Neill spent half a decade in charge of Celtic between 2000 and 2005—securing seven trophies, including three Premiership titles.

The Northern Irishman's last role in the managerial seat was with Nottingham Forest. He replaced Aitor Karanka in January 2019 with the club in ninth place in the Championship and was dismissed at the conclusion of the season with Forest remaining in the identical position.

Speaking on Tuesday, O'Neill stated, "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 host mid-table Falkirk at 19:45 GMT.