Neil Lennon early favourite to replace Martin O’Neill

Don’t shoot the messenger but here’s the first update we’re received listing the likely candidates to replace Martin O’Neill as Celtic manager if the veteran Irishman decides to call it a day and head back to the talkSport studios and expensive coffee shops in Knightsbridge… 1st November 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Scottish Premiership Falkirk versus Celtic; Celtic manager Martin O’Neill speaks to Celtic TV. Photo Vagelis Georgariou There is of course no indication at all that Martin will decide that enough is enough but he does know that football is a results business and Celtic’s run of three wins, one draw and six defeats from the last ten matches is hardly anywhere near approaching the level expect from a viable Celtic manager. Celtic threw away a 4-0 aggregate lead to exit the Champions League to LASK, are pointless in the Champions League after three defeats to Ferencvaros, Benfica and Celta Vigo and have lost home and away to Derek McInnes’ bang average Rangers side. Add to that the most recent set back, a defeat at Falkirk for the first time in almost twenty years. 1st November 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk versus Celtic; Celtic manager Martin O’Neill. Photo Vagelis Georgariou Next up for Celtic are two home matches against Turkish highfliers in the Europa League Besiktas, then in the last match before the international break against Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon.  Another defeat would see Martin hanging on by a thread,  failing to win one would be curtains. For those wanting Martin to call it a day, be careful what you wish for could be the message from bookmakers BetVicor who state: Neil Lennon and Martin O’Neill at Hampden after Celtic’s 6-2 win over St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou Neil Lennon is favourite to become Celtic’s next manager again, with Martin O’Neill coming under increasing scrutiny after Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Falkirk. Shaun Maloney (4/1), Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy (5/1) also find themselves in the running. Neil Lennon would be a very Dermot Desmond kind of appointment. Someone he knows will play the game exactly as he wants it on and off the park and will also be one in the eye of the support. 5th September 2026; The Marbill Coaches Stadium, Paisley, Scottish Premiership St Mirren versus Celtic; Celtic assistant manager Shaun Maloney. Photo Vagelis Georgariou Shaun Maloney isn’t interested and there are actually rumours that he isn’t happy as Assistant Manager. He is popular with the players but the lack of structure and tactical awareness in the squad at the moment makes this unlikely, although stranger things have happened. Robbie Keane, Head Coach of Ferencvaros (R), looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between FC Salzburg and Ferencvarosi TC at Stadion Salzburg on October 23, 2025 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) Robbie Keane would be a divisive appointment and would bring all sorts of unwelcome headlines with the mainstream media having a field day.  Hard to swallow that one. Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of Wales, looks on prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B4 match between Wales and Montenegro at Cardiff City Stadium on October 14, 2024. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) That leaves the outsider in the field and one that actually would be an exciting and progressive appointment. Craig Bellamy has Wales playing a brand of football that would be perfect for Celtic and the support would love it. He’d certainly be my favourite from the market shown yet strangely his are the longest odds. HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below… Celtic in the Fifties Volumes One and Two. Available now from celticstarbooks.com – click on image to order Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE ….Hail Hail! CELTIC STAR BOOKS – We’ve covered three decades so far with more to follow… Christmas shopping ideas from Celtic Star Books. Click on image to shop