Martin O'Neill 'ready to leave Celtic' as replacement lined up

Martin O'Neill is ready to leave his position as Celtic manager regardless of what happens in the coming months.

The boss has come under intense pressure this season, with fans previously calling for his head after a run of defeats against Rangers before the international break.

That led to suggestions he could walk away from his position, but after a return to form and a recent 7-1 win against Hearts, he is expected to see out the season.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that there is no prospect of O'Neill staying beyond his current terms with repalcements being lined up.

Celtic had considered changing their manager last summer following the 74-year-old's interim spell, but opted to stick with him for another year given his impressive run.

While the Hoops are still on course for a successful season this time around, they are now poised to look elsewhere, with O'Neill eyeing a summer exit from Parkhead.

Will Martin O'Neill leave Celtic this summer?

Brown told Football Insider on 12 October that O'Neill is not entirely out of the woods, with negative results to lead to more pressure, but is expected to see out the season.

A return to form in the Scottish Premiership has bought him time, while a big win last time out has dismissed any suggestions that their poor run of form could linger.

However, there are no plans for O'Neill to remain in his position beyond the end of the season, and work has begun behind the scenes to prepare for his departure.

"I wouldn't expect O'Neill to leave Celtic between now and the end of the season," Brown told Football Insider.

"It seemed like a possibility for a while, but they've moved past that, they've returned to their top form and they're still on course to do well in the league this season.

"But I don't think there's any chance he could stay longer than what's currently planned, I think he's ready to leave Celtic at the end of the season regardless of what happens.

"So the club will have to make a decision about who comes in to replace him, and they know he's going to be leaving, so they can start putting plans in place already.

"They'll be looking at different options behind the scenes and holding talks about who might be the best candidate, even if nothing is going to be advanced yet.

"They'll want to have a succession plan in place, because otherwise we'll get to the summer and they'll start scrambling to see who might be available."

Which managers are on Celtic's radar?

A number of big-name managers are already being linked with the Celtic job, with the club drawing up a shortlist as they decide who would be the best option to take over.

The likes of Robbie Keane and Sean Dyche have been mentioned in recent weeks, while there was also a surprise suggestion that Neil Lennon could make a return to Parkhead.

Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider on 22 October that David Moyes would be interested in taking the Celtic job if he is to leave Everton in the summer.

Despite being happy at the club and having no immediate plans to leave, Moyes has seen new contract talks stall, with his current deal to expire at the end of the season.

A return to Scotland with the club he represented as a player could prove tempting for him if he is out of work come the summer, and he would be the ideal candidate for Celtic.