Next Celtic manager odds: Who will be the permanent replacement for Brendan Rodgers?

The departure of Brendan Rodgers as Celtic manager has sparked a frenzy in Scotland, with several contenders apparently in the frame to replace him at Celtic Park.

Martin O'Neill has returned on an interim basis to the SPL champions after Rodgers resigned earlier this week, but the bookmakers are also floating several other names who could take over on a permanent basis once O'Neill has kept the "seat warm" for a "younger manager with proven ability".

O'Neill's second stint in charge of the Scottish giants began with an emphatic victory this week as they defeated Falkirk 4-0 at Celtic Park.

The Hoops have endured a difficult start to the Scottish Premiership season, falling eight points behind Hearts at the top of the table with Rodgers ultimately walking away amid accusations from major shareholder Dermot Desmond of a "divisive, misleading and self-serving" approach.

MORE: Dermot Desmond statement in full as Celtic and Rodgers part company

The current picture in Scotland represents the first time that any team outside of the Old Firm of Celtic and Rangers have had a six-point lead domestically since Hearts last established that gap 20 years ago, back in 2005.

With an unexpected vacancy now to fill at Parkhead, here's who is in the running to be the next permanent Celtic manager.

Next Celtic Manager Betting Odds

Who is the favourite to be the next Celtic manager?

Kieran McKenna, who has done such a superb job with Ipswich, is the odds on favourite with the bookmakers to replace Brendan Rodgers as Celtic manager.

However, Celtic fans might also be looking back to the future, given both the interim return of Martin O'Neill and the presence of  Ange Postecoglou among the likeliest alternatives to McKenna. Former Celtic striker Robbie Keane has also leapt up the odds list after a stint in Israel with Maccabi Tel-Aviv and now in charge of Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.

O'Neill, who may see the appeal of being given the chance to again take Celtic to a UEFA Europa League final after guiding the club to the 2003 UEFA Cup final against Porto in Seville, will also be in the running alongside Shaun Maloney, who will act as O'Neill's assistant on an interim basis.

Beyond that, Kevin Muscat has moved into contention in the odds, after a few weeks of speculation that saw him become red-hot favourite for the Rangers job before reportedly pulling out. The odds of Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen have also tumbled of late.

Why did Brendan Rodgers leave Celtic?

In recent weeks, Rodgers has been heavily critical of Celtic's operations off the pitch, suggesting that managing the club was like "being given the keys to Honda Civic" — and not a complimentary way.

Desmond vehemently disputed that in his public statement of Monday following Rodgers' departure, and it is clear that a breakdown in the relationship between the club's hierarchy has led to stagnation on the pitch this season.

A 3-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle at the weekend left Celtic reeling in both the Premiership, as well as in Europe where they have one win from their opening three Europa League games, and Rodgers' departure became inevitable.

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