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Following Brendan Rodgers' resignation as Celtic head coach on Monday, multiple potential successors have surfaced as potential replacements for the former boss.

Celtic acted swiftly to name former manager Martin O'Neill as interim boss—two decades after his initial spell in charge of the Glasgow club ended.

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

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

A number of candidates have reportedly started to emerge for the position, including some names with close links to the club.

The Ipswich Town Head Coach

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has arisen as an attractive prospect to get Celtic back on a positive footing.

However, sources have indicated that Celtic could face a significant financial cost to snap up the young manager.

McKenna signed a new four-year contract at Ipswich in the 2024 off-season, reportedly worth approximately £5 million pounds per season.

Furthermore, it is believed he has a significant release clause that Celtic may be required to meet if they decide to formalise their interest.

It is yet unclear whether McKenna is prepared to leave English football to begin a new phase in Scotland—though sources have indicated the manager would be receptive to a move.

Ipswich are presently in the middle of the pack in the Championship after last season's relegation from the Premier League.

McKenna was one of the candidates for the Brentford head coach job in the off-season after Thomas Frank's exit, but the role was filled from within by Keith Andrews.

Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou is available again after a short and unsuccessful spell at Nottingham Forest.

The Australian, who was sacked by Tottenham at the end of the 2024-25 season, managed only 39 days at the City Ground and became the briefest permanent Premier League manager.

Postecoglou failed to win in any of his eight matches in charge of Forest, with two draws and six defeats across all competitions, but he is nonetheless revered by the Celtic fanbase and is free.

He spent two seasons in charge of Celtic between 2021 and 2023 and guided the club to a clean sweep of Scottish trophies in his second campaign.

Robbie Keane

Former striker Robbie Keane also fits the bill as another candidate with close links to Celtic and someone who fully knows the club.

Keane scored 16 goals in 19 games for the Scottish powerhouse during a loan spell in 2010 and was named Celtic's Best Performer for 2009-10.

The Republic of Ireland international retired in November 2018 after a short period as player-manager at Indian Super League club ATK.

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

He assumed control at Hungarian team Ferencvaros in January and claimed the league title during his first season.

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

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 overseen 14 games with Wales—winning six, tying four, and losing four—and is reportedly committed to the position.

Wales are in third place in their World Cup group for the 2026 World Cup and assured at least a play-off berth, so luring him away from the national side could be challenging.

Martin O'Neill

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

The Northern Irishman's last position in the dugout was with Nottingham Forest. He replaced Aitor Karanka in January 2019 with the club ninth in the Championship and was sacked at the end of the season with Forest remaining in the identical position.

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

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