Celtic next manager: Hiring the favourite to replace Martin O'Neill would be a mistake

Neil Lennon is the early favourite to take over the Celtic job from Martin O'Neill in the coming weeks.

The Hoops have lost three consecutive games across all competitions, including back-to-back Old Firm derby defeats without scoring a goal.

Rangers dominated at Celtic Park on Sunday, with Ryan Naderi's first-half strike enough to separate the sides as the home side mustered just one shot on target.

O'Neill is a Celtic legend and led a wayward team to an unthinkable Scottish Premiership and cup double last season, but there is a growing suspicion that he has lost his players.

Yet it remains unclear if decision-makers at Parkhead would risk making such a big call so early in the season, and if they would consider re-hiring Lennon.

The 55-year-old had two successful stints in charge of Celtic, and is currently the manager of Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic.

Who else is in the running for the Celtic job?

Between 2000 and 2005, O'Neill was massively successful as manager of Celtic and held a superb 2.36 points per game tally.

Nobody expected him to return last season, but he seemed to pick up where he left off and was eventually persuaded to take the job permanently once more.

But the favour O'Neill gained last season is already beginning to run dry at Parkhead, with fans left incensed after Sunday's Old Firm defeat.

Should the Northern Irishman face the sack imminently, Lennon is one major bookmaker's favourite at 1/1.

Shaun Maloney, at 3/1, Scott Brown, at 6/1, and Robbie Keane at 8/1 are also in the running.

Neil Lennon appointment would be a mistake

Lennon was in charge of Celtic between 2010 and 2014, before later returning in 2019 and leaving in 2021.

The Hoops won the Scottish Premiership five times under his watch, and he is undoubtedly considered an all-time great.

But appointing him once more would signal a lack of understanding of the issue that Celtic are facing because of their decision to hire O'Neill.

The Hoops need something fresh and new to guide their young squad, not a continuous cycle of the same managers just because they were once successful.

Lennon has not pulled up any trees at Dunfermline, and Celtic simply must avoid making the easy decision once more.