Next Celtic Manager Odds: Neil Lennon Favourite for Third Spell at Celtic Park
Martin O'Neill has admitted he will consider his position as Celtic manager over the international break, after a chastening week that saw the Hoops lose back-to-back Old Firm derbies to Rangers for the first time this season.
Celtic fell 1-0 at Parkhead on Sunday, having already been beaten 3-0 by Rangers in the League Cup eight days earlier, and O'Neill cut a downbeat figure afterwards, admitting "it might be time to wrap it up" when asked directly about his future.
It's been a torrid few weeks in Glasgow's east end. Celtic were knocked out of Champions League qualifying by LASK before losing their Europa League opener to Ferencvaros, and O'Neill's side have now lost three of their last four matches across all competitions.
Betting sites have reacted by opening a market on Martin O'Neill's permanent successor, with a familiar name at the head of the betting.
Two-time Celtic boss Neil Lennon has emerged as the leading contender for a third spell at Celtic Park after watching Sunday's derby defeat from the Sky Sports studio.
Here at Free Bets, we've taken a closer look at the candidates currently featured in the market.
Next Celtic Manager Odds
Here's the full list of contenders and their prices, as compiled by Betfair.
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Neil Lennon | Evens |
| Shaun Maloney | 3/1 |
| Scott Brown | 6/1 |
| Robbie Keane | 8/1 |
| Steve Clarke | 10/1 |
Odds correct as of 21 September 2026, 5:00pm - courtesy of Betfair
Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon is the standout name on Betfair's list, and his Celtic record explains why.
The Northern Irishman has already managed the club twice, from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2019 to 2021, winning two Premiership titles and a domestic treble across those spells.
He was also on Sky Sports pundit duty for Sunday's derby defeat, questioning Celtic's game management as Martin O'Neill's side lost further ground in the Old Firm.
The complication is that Lennon isn't available. He is currently managing Dunfermline Athletic, having signed a new two-year contract at East End Park on 31 July 2026 after guiding the club to Championship safety last season.
Any move would therefore require Celtic to prise a manager away from a club mid-contract, rather than appointing an available candidate.
Shaun Maloney
Shaun Maloney is already part of the Celtic coaching staff, having returned to the club in 2025 before joining Martin O'Neill's backroom team, and is the current second favourite.
He has previously managed Hibernian and Wigan Athletic, while also spending several years as Roberto Martinez's assistant with Belgium.
His managerial record has been mixed and he has previously played down interest in the Celtic job, but his knowledge of the club, coaching experience and familiarity with the current squad keep him firmly in the conversation.
Scott Brown
Scott Brown has managerial experience with Fleetwood Town and Salford City, although stepping into the Celtic hot seat would represent a significant jump in level.
The former Celtic captain standing with supporters would give him an obvious connection with the club, while his experience as a former captain could also appeal if the Hoops wanted someone familiar with the demands of the Celtc Park dressing room.
Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane has already been linked with the Celtic job, having reportedly been the club's leading target before Martin O'Neill's permanent appointment.
Sky Sports and the BBC both reported that the former Republic of Ireland captain held talks with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond.
Keane has been out of work since leaving Ferencvaros in the summer, although Preston North End have reportedly shown interest this week as a potential replacement for Paul Heckingbottom.
That could be worth monitoring if Celtic's job becomes available, with Keane potentially taking another role before there is a vacancy at Parkhead.
Steve Clarke
Steve Clarke is also prominent in the betting after leaving his role as Scotland manager in June following a seven-year spell that included three major tournaments.
His experience in Scottish football, including his time at Kilmarnock, and his standing in the domestic game make him a notable name in the market, despite having no direct Celtic connection.
The Rest of the Market
Further down the market, Alex Neil, Sean Dyche, Thomas Frank, Scott Parker, John O'Shea and Rob Edwards are all in the betting, alongside Damien Duff and Roy Keane, highlighting the wide range of names being linked with the Celtic job at this stage.
Celtic's next fixture comes after the international break, with O'Neill's future under scrutiny and Neil Lennon the shock favourite to replace him.
This page will be updated as the betting moves.
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