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Following Brendan Rodgers' exit as Celtic head coach on Monday, multiple potential successors have surfaced as possible long-term successors for the Northern Irishman.

Celtic moved quickly to name former manager Martin O'Neill as interim boss—two decades after his first spell in charge of the Scottish club concluded.

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

O'Neill, 73, has dismissed suggestions he could take up the job on a permanent basis—insisting he is merely "holding the fort."

Multiple candidates have already started to emerge for the position, among them some figures with close links to the club.

Kieran McKenna

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

However, sources have suggested that Celtic could encounter a significant financial cost to secure the 39-year-old.

McKenna agreed to a new four-year contract at Portman Road in the 2024 off-season, reportedly worth around £5 million pounds per season.

Additionally, it is understood he has a sizable release clause that Celtic may be obliged to meet if they choose to formalise their interest.

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

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

McKenna was one of the contenders for the Brentford manager's job in the summer after Thomas Frank's departure, but the role was filled internally by Keith Andrews.

The Former Celtic Boss

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

The Australian, who was sacked by Tottenham at the end of the previous season, lasted just 39 days at the club and became the shortest-serving permanent Premier League manager.

Postecoglou failed to win in any of his eight matches in charge of Forest, with two draws and six losses across all competitions, but he is nonetheless highly regarded 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 domestic treble in his following campaign.

The Former Celtic Striker

Former striker Robbie Keane also fits the bill as an additional option 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 Player of the Year for that season.

The Republic of Ireland international retired in November 2018 following a brief period as playing coach at Indian Super League club ATK.

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

He took over at Hungarian team Ferencvaros in January and claimed the league title during his inaugural season.

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

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy began his journey into management in 2024 with the Wales team 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—winning six, tying four, and suffering four defeats—and is said to be 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 difficult.

The Interim Manager

Martin O'Neill spent five years in charge of Celtic between 2000 and 2005—winning seven trophies, including 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 conclusion of the season with Forest remaining in the same spot.

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

O'Neill's initial challenge comes on Wednesday when Celtic host sixth-placed Falkirk at 19:45 GMT.