Following Celtic’s 2-0 home defeat to Ross County in the Betfred Cup yesterday, the pressure on Neil Lennon has increased considerably with even the current Celtic manager doubting that he’ll be allowed to continue in post. The bookies have been busy running their books on who will be Neil Lennon’s replacement and it appears that they reckon that the next manager will be another previous boss returning, with Gordon Strachan now the favourite to be given the job.
“Odds slashed on Gordon Strachan to be next Celtic manager,” report Betfair this afternoon with Henrik Larsson and Roy Keane also seen their odds shortening.
Gordon Strachan who has moved into 6/4 favourite – having been 7/1 on Friday. Previous favourite and former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is second favourite at 5/2, having been 5/6 odds on favourite at the end of last week.
Two others with Celtic connections have made big market moves in the weekend – Henrik Larsson is now joint third favourite at 6/1, having been 10/1, while Roy Keane, who finished his career at Parkhead is also 6/1.
David Moyes, the previous market leader, is now back at 14/1 after an upturn in form at West Ham, while Scotland boss Steve Clarke is 9/1 and interim Derby County boss Wayne Rooney – a new name in the market today – is 10/1.
Betfair’s Sam Rosbottom told The Celtic Star: “With the writing truly on the wall for Neil Lennon after yet another defeat, bona fide Celtic legend Strachan is now the clear 6/4 favourite for the role – having previously guided the club to three straight league titles in the noughties.
“The out of work Eddie Howe is still up there among the front runners along with Larsson, who could be tempted to be prised away from his role as Barcelona assistant for the top job at Celtic Park. Meanwhile, the betting suggests that previous favourite David Moyes is unlikely to be considered due to an upturn in form at West Ham.”
Next Celtic manager odds from Betfair
Gordon Strachan: 6/4 (was 7/1 on Friday)
Eddie Howe: 5/2 (was 5/6 on Friday)
Henrik Larsson: 6/1 (was 10/1 on Friday)
Roy Keane: 6/1 (was 16/1 on Friday)
Marco Silva: 7/1 (was 3/1 on Friday)
Malky Mackay: 17/2
Steve Clarke: 9/1
Rafa Benitez: 10/1
Wayne Rooney: 10/1
John Kennedy: 12/1
Alex Neil: 12/1
Johann Mjallby: 14/1
Martin O’Neill: 14/1
David Moyes: 14/1
Jack Ross: 16/1
Paul Lambert: 20/1
Shaun Maloney: 20/1
Scott Brown: 25/1
Sam Allardyce: 25/1
Mauricio Pochettino: 25/1
Alan Pardew: 25/1
Stiliyan Petrov: 33/1
