Celtic Book Opens

The bookies are never shy when it comes to opening a book on managerial replacements, and so it is no surprise that Stan James have started quoting already for the next Celtic manager with Neil Lennon still sitting in the Parkhead hotseat.

It's a crucial week for Lennon, as Celtic face a must win game in the Europa League against Rennes this evening and then travel to second place Motherwell on Sunday.

Lennon knows that his tenure at Parkhead will be under the microscope and defeats in both matches could well see him heading for the exit door.

Stan James go 5/4 that he is still the Celtic manager on December31st and 4/7 that he isn't. Their spokesman Rory Jiwani feels Lennon has an uphill battle to stay in the Celtic hotseat.

He has to bridge the gap with Rangers at the top of the table and at the moment that seems unlikely to happen. He is skating on thin ice and it looks increasingly like he is going to fall through it.

The firm also have also been trading on the next Celtic manager after Lennon for some time and they have Roy Keane as the 5/1 favourite. Owen Coyle is in at 6/1 with Mick McCarthy, Mark Hughes and Slaven Bilic all at 10/1.

Martin O'Neill and Paul Lambert are both at 12/1 but it is debateable as to whether they would consider it at present. A return for Gordon Strachan is priced at 14/1.

Here is the current book in full together with the latest odds;

Next Permanent Celtic Manager

Roy Keane 5/1
Owen Coyle 6/1
Mick McCarthy 10/1
Mark Hughes 10/1
Slaven Bilic 10/1
Paul Lambert 12/1
Martin O'Neill 12/1
Willie McStay 12/1
Gordon Strachan 14/1
Steve Coppell 14/1
Dave Jones 14/1
Craig Levein 12/1
John Collins 14/1
Roy Aitken 16/1
John Hughes 20/1
John Hartson 20/1
Malky Mackay 20/1
Alan Curbishley 20/1
Henrik Larsson 25/1
Billy Davies 25/1
David O'Leary 25/1
David Moyes 25/1
Lubomir Moravcik 25/1
Paulo Di Canio 25/1
Derek McInnes 25/1
Billy Stark 25/1
Kenny Dalglish 33/1
George Burley 40/1
Steven Pressley 40/1