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Following Brendan Rodgers' resignation as Celtic manager on Monday, several potential successors have surfaced as possible replacements for the former boss.

Celtic moved quickly to name former manager Martin O'Neill as temporary boss—two decades after his initial stint in charge of the Scottish club ended.

Sunday's 3-1 loss at table-toppers Hearts was Celtic's back-to-back Premiership loss, leaving them eight points behind in the runner-up spot, while they have won just two of their previous seven matches in all competitions.

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

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

The Ipswich Town Head Coach

Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has emerged as an appealing candidate to get Celtic back on a positive track.

However, insiders have indicated that Celtic could face a significant financial bill to snap up the 39-year-old.

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

Additionally, it is believed he has a sizable release clause that Celtic may be required to meet if they decide to pursue their inquiry.

It remains to be seen whether McKenna is willing to depart English football to forge a new phase in Scotland—though sources have suggested the manager would be receptive to a move.

Ipswich are currently mid-table in the Championship after last season's drop from the Premier League.

McKenna was among the contenders for the Brentford head coach job in the summer after Thomas Frank's exit, but the position was taken internally by Keith Andrews.

Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou is available again after a brief and disappointing spell at Nottingham Forest.

The Australian, who was sacked 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 defeats in all competitions, but he is nonetheless revered by the Celtic supporters and is free.

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

Robbie Keane

Former forward Robbie Keane also qualifies as an additional candidate 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 Best Performer for that season.

The Republic of Ireland international retired in November 2018 after a brief stint as player-manager 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 took over at Hungarian team Ferencvaros in January and claimed the league title during his inaugural season.

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

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy took his first steps 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—winning six, tying four, and suffering four defeats—and is said to be committed to the role.

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

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill spent five years in charge of Celtic between 2000 and 2005—securing seven honors, among them three Premiership titles.

The Northern Irishman's last role in the managerial seat 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 remaining in the identical position.

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

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