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In the wake of Brendan Rodgers' departure as Celtic head coach on Monday, a number of potential successors have surfaced as possible replacements for the Northern Irishman.

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

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

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

Several candidates have reportedly begun to surface for the role, among them some figures with close links to Parkhead.

Kieran McKenna

Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has arisen as an appealing prospect to get Celtic back on a winning track.

However, insiders have indicated that Celtic could encounter a substantial financial cost to secure the 39-year-old.

McKenna agreed to 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 sizable buyout clause that Celtic may be required to meet if they decide to formalise their interest.

It is yet unclear whether McKenna is prepared to depart English football to begin a new chapter in Scotland—though sources have suggested the manager would be open to a move.

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

McKenna was among the contenders for the Brentford manager's job in the off-season following Thomas Frank's departure, but the role was taken from within by Keith Andrews.

The Former Celtic Boss

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

The Australian, who was sacked by Tottenham at the end of the previous 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 draws and six losses across all competitions, but he is nonetheless revered by the Celtic fanbase and is available.

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

The Former Celtic Striker

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

Keane scored 16 goals in 19 appearances for the Scottish giants during a loan spell 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 after a brief period 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 domestic double last year.

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

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

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy began his journey into management in 2024 with the Wales national side and is also understood to have admirers 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 losing four—and is reportedly committed to the role.

Wales are third 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 prove challenging.

Martin O'Neill

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

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

Speaking on Tuesday, O'Neill stated, "I must stress, this is temporary, until a permanent manager is selected."

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