Celtic are set to begin a recruitment process to appoint their next boss.
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Celtic are considering keeping Martin O’Neill in charge beyond the 2026-27 campaign after his impressive interim spell.
The 74-year-old was initially expected to depart, with a new permanent appointment lined up, but that stance has softened following a domestic double that saw Celtic finish the season with both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup under his leadership.
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According to Sky Sports, Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond is set to meet O’Neill and former Liverpool striker Robbie Keane this week to discuss the managerial situation.
The club are open to O’Neill continuing if he wishes to stay, provided terms are agreed, while also valuing him in a senior advisory capacity if he steps aside.
Celtic have already been assessing potential successors throughout the season. Keane, who is a free agent having recently left Ferencvaros, is among the candidates under consideration and is expected to hold talks with the club.
As a manager, Keane won the Israeli Premier League and Toto Cup with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2024 before guiding Ferencvárosi to the Hungarian title in his first season in 2025.
He missed out on retaining the league crown the following year but still lifted the Magyar Kupa before departing Budapest.
Craig Bellamy has also been admired by Celtic for his work with Wales, though he has reiterated his commitment to his national team despite interest from club sides such as Burnley.
Bellamy said: “Everything’s in place, I get completely backed and it’s going to give me the opportunity in the next two years to improve again.
“Links? I understand it but I don’t look too far. I love what I have here. I’ve been offered that elsewhere as well, but I have this here already.
“Wales gave me this opportunity and one or two might not have because I was conscious I haven’t managed before. Wales have given me this opportunity and I’m really grateful for that.
“I am ambitious, trust me. I want to earn loads and loads of money but there’s a time and now, at this present moment, it just doesn’t feel that time.”
“I couldn’t see it being fair for me to walk away. That’s not right,” added Bellamy. “I had one or two players ringing up like, ‘Is this true?’.
“Listen, we’re not going anywhere. We’re going again, we’ve got another two years. I’ve always wanted to do this role, so I don’t want to wish this away. I get great backing, you know, and that’s all I can ask for.”
Roberto Martínez is another name linked, but the Portugal manager is considered a less likely option given his focus on the upcoming World Cup, which could complicate Celtic’s aim of appointing a new boss in time for pre-season.