Celtic next manager: Craig Bellamy in late 'talks' twist
Celtic are on the hunt for their next manager ahead of the 2026-27 campaign and there has been a new twist today.
It looked as if it was set to be a race between Martin O’Neill and Robbie Keane for the role after talks with the duo earlier this week.
Current Wales National Team manager, Craig Bellamy, had been heavily linked to the role in recent months, but appeared to rule himself out of the running in recent weeks.
Nevertheless, it was reported on 4 June that Celtic still want to speak to Bellamy and see if he would still want to be considered for the role in a late twist in their managerial hunt.
The 46-year-old was unable to guide Wales to the 2026 World Cup this summer, which could give Celtic a chance to make an appointment.
What has Craig Bellamy previously said about leaving Wales?
Bellamy's achievements as Wales boss have not gone unnoticed.
The upcoming manager has overseen plenty of stunning feats in the dugout and currently holds a 42.11 per cent win rate.
This helped Wales reach the World Cup qualification playoffs, where they went out to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the semi-finals.
As a result, many clubs have been linked with the manager, including Burnley, and it is little surprise that Sky Sports News on 4 June reported that Celtic still want talks.
Therefore, Bellamy came out on Monday to reaffirm his commitment to Wales as they prepare to host Euro 2028.
He said: "I don't need anything else. That'll come at another time and then we'll have a different discussion then.
"But I think four years is about right. I don't think a manager should be longer than that in international football. It will be someone else's turn in two years' time.
"I'm not going anywhere, I've got another two years. I am ambitious though, trust me."
What will happen to Martin O’Neill?
Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider that Celtic must do everything they can to keep O’Neill at the Hoops.
Wyness believes that the 74-year-old should help them in the hunt for their new manager if he does not want the job himself.
There have been suggestions that O’Neill could be moved upstairs in a potential sporting director role after he oversaw a successful 2025-26 campaign.
O’Neill’s arrival after Wilfried Nancy’s dismissal saw the Hoops overturn Hearts’ lead at the top of the table on the final day to win their fifth consecutive crown, as well as lift the Scottish Cup.
However, it remains to be seen what O’Neill’s future holds at Celtic after cementing himself as a legend at Parkhead after the recent campaign.