Two former Sunderland managers installed as favourites for Celtic job as pressure mounts on Neil Lennon

Current manager Neil Lennon has been given the board’s backing indicating that any change is unlikely despite increasing pressure from fans for the club legend to be replaced.

Fervent fan protest following the Betfred Cup defeat to Ross County on Sunday saw fans chant for Lennon to go.

The 49-year-old will be in the San Siro dugout for tonight’s Europa League clash with AC Milan and is already planning to freshen up the squad in January with new recruits.

Lennon said: "It’s not a question of ‘we’re keeping Lenny in the job in spite of everybody.’ They’re keeping me in because they know I can do the job to the standards we set last year.”

Such is the strong feeling amongst fans, speculation will continue to follow the club’s every result.

In the last week, both ex-Celtic boss Gordon Strachan and Eddie Howe have been favourites amongst bookmakers to be a possible replacement for Lennon.

A new name to become the next permanent Celtic manager is now favourite and it’s another former Parkhead boss, who also had a stint at Sunderland.

Martin O’Neill is 6/5 - from 14/1 earlier in the week – to return to the club despite the former Ireland boss coming out in support of Lennon recently.

The 68-year-old former Nottingham Forest manager took the reins at the Stadium of Light following Steve Bruce’s sacking in 2011 but was axed two years later.

Another big mover is Hibs boss Jack Ross who was 16/1 with Betfair on Monday.

Former Black Cats man Ross became Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven's first managerial appointment at the beginning of the 2018/19 season.

Under Ross’ guidance, Sunderland slipped into the League One play-offs after looking likely candidates for automatic promotion before an end-of-season collapse.

The Black Cats lost the play-off final to Charlton at Wembley and Ross was dismissed the following season after a poor start.

He is now second favourite at 7/4 after a relatively impressive season so far at Easter Road.

Howe, John Kennedy and Strachan remain high up in the bookmaker’s shortlist.

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