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Following Brendan Rodgers' exit as Celtic manager on Monday, a number of potential successors have come to light as possible long-term successors for the former boss.

Celtic moved quickly to name former manager Martin O'Neill as interim boss—20 years after his first stint in charge of the Scottish club concluded.

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

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

Several potential appointees have already started to emerge for the role, among them some figures with close links to the club.

The Ipswich Town Head Coach

Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has arisen as an attractive candidate to guide Celtic back on a positive track.

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

McKenna agreed to a new multi-year contract at Ipswich in the 2024 off-season, said to be worth around £5 million per year.

Additionally, it is believed he has a significant buyout clause that Celtic may be obliged to meet if they decide to pursue their interest.

It remains to be seen whether McKenna is prepared to leave English football to forge a new chapter in Scotland—though sources have indicated the manager would be receptive 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 candidates for the Brentford manager's job in the summer following Thomas Frank's exit, but the role was taken internally by Keith Andrews.

Ange Postecoglou

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

The Australian, who was dismissed by Tottenham at the conclusion of the previous season, managed only 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 ties and six losses across all competitions, but he is nonetheless revered by the Celtic supporters and is free.

He spent two seasons in charge of Celtic between 2021 and 2023 and guided the club to a domestic treble in his second campaign.

The Former Celtic Striker

Former forward Robbie Keane also qualifies as an additional option with close links to Celtic and someone who completely understands the club.

Keane scored 16 goals in 19 appearances for the Scottish powerhouse during a loan spell in 2010 and was named Celtic's Player of the Year for 2009-10.

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 guided them to a domestic double last year.

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

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

The Wales National Team Manager

Craig Bellamy began his journey into management in 2024 with the Wales team and is also thought to have supporters at Celtic.

The 46-year-old scored eight goals in 14 appearances for the Scottish side during a temporary stay in 2005.

Bellamy has overseen 14 games with Wales—securing six victories, tying four, and suffering four defeats—and is said to be committed to the position.

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

Martin O'Neill

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

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

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

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