Sources: Celtic board stance on Eddie Howe revealed as odds dramatically crash today
It will take an unprecedented U-turn from the Celtic board to fire Neil Lennon this week and hand the reins to Eddie Howe.
The northern Irishman was assured on Friday by Hoops powerbrokers Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell his job was safe following Thursday night's Europa League exit.
But Lennon is on the brink after Sunday's 2-0 Scottish League Cup defeat to Ross County left his job hanging by a thread.
Raging fans descended on the stadium at full-time and police held them back as they chanted "Lenny, Lenny, get to f***".
Celtic released a statement condemning supporters and promised a full investigation, but gave no hint as to the manager's position.
Fresh talks are expected in the next 48 hours as Hoops chiefs discuss a U-turn as the club's season continues to unravel.
This site exclusively revealed on Friday that Celtic intended to stand by Lennon, barring a dreadful run of results, up until the Old Firm crunch against Rangers on 2 January.
A Celtic source has told Football Insider that the board of directors do not believe there is an "outstanding" alternative available to replace Lennon.
That includes Howe, who has been out of work after his lengthy Bournemouth reign ended in Premier League relegation in July.
He has been mooted as a potential successor and is now odds-on to replace Lennon at the helm.
That possibility was ruled out just days ago by Celtic chiefs, who put their faith in Lennon's experience of Scottish football and navigating the league.
Desmond, Lawwell and company will not want to be seen to bow to the raging mob, or U-turn so quickly.
But Lennon's position is now under greater threat than ever before and internal discussions will now centre on whether he can possibly lead a turnaround.