18+ only. Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money. If it stops being fun, stop. BeGambleAware.org · Self-exclude from every UK-licensed site at GAMSTOP.
On this page
- Is Martin O’Neill still Celtic manager?
- Why is Martin O’Neill under pressure at Celtic?
- When are Celtic’s next games?
- Who could be the next Celtic manager?
- What are the latest next Celtic manager odds?
- How do next Celtic manager bets work?
- Should you bet on the next Celtic manager?
- Which sports welcome offers can you use?
- How do you stay in control when betting on football news?
- Sources checked
- FAQs
Last checked 3 November 2026 by Tom Perkins, Editor (08:45 GMT). News is from the outlets listed under Sources; fixtures from Radio Times and Kilmarnock FC; the table from BBC Sport. We don’t quote next Celtic manager odds on this page (see below why).
There is no vacancy yet: Martin O’Neill is still Celtic manager, but the question of who will be the next Celtic manager is back after a 2-0 defeat at Falkirk on 1 November, Celtic’s sixth loss in ten games. Celtic are still top of the Scottish Premiership, four points clear of Rangers, and O’Neill is on a one-year contract signed in June. The names most often linked with the job if he goes are former manager Neil Lennon, now at Dunfermline, and O’Neill’s own coach Shaun Maloney. Celtic play Beşiktaş in the Europa League on Thursday and Kilmarnock on Sunday before the international break. This page sets out where things stand, who has been linked and how “next manager” bets are settled.
Is Martin O’Neill still Celtic manager?
Yes. Martin O’Neill was still in charge when we checked on 3 November 2026, and Celtic had not said anything about his position. He was confirmed as permanent manager on 11 June 2026 on a one-year contract with the option of a further year, after two interim spells last season ended in a league and Scottish Cup double (BBC Sport). The key facts:
| Manager | Martin O’Neill, 74. Permanent since 11 June 2026, one-year contract plus a one-year option (BBC Sport) |
|---|---|
| Coaching staff | Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus (Daily Mail) |
| League position | 1st in the Scottish Premiership: 28 points from 12 games (W9 D1 L2), four ahead of Rangers, who have a game in hand (BBC Sport table, 3 November) |
| Recent form | Six defeats in the last ten games in all competitions, and one clean sheet in ten (The Irish Times / PA) |
| Latest result | Falkirk 2-0 Celtic, Sunday 1 November 2026 (Ethan Ross 3′, Scott Tanser 38′), Falkirk’s first win over Celtic since 2007 |
| Europe | No points from three Europa League games after defeats by Ferencváros, Benfica and Celta Vigo (Daily Record) |
| Next games | Celtic v Beşiktaş (Europa League, Thursday 5 November, 20:00 GMT) and Celtic v Kilmarnock (Scottish Premiership, Sunday 8 November, 16:00 GMT), then the international break |
Why is Martin O’Neill under pressure at Celtic?
Results and performances. Celtic have lost six of their last ten games, and the Daily Record says O’Neill has won only three of them. At Falkirk they had 24 shots to Falkirk’s six, according to the Daily Mail, but conceded inside three minutes after a mistake by Cameron Carter-Vickers and again before half-time. That followed a home draw with Dundee United in midweek. O’Neill said afterwards: “We have to address the fact that we are conceding,” but added: “We’re still top of the league” (The Irish Times).
There have been earlier warning signs. After a 1-0 home defeat by Rangers on 20 September, part of a week with two defeats by their rivals, O’Neill said he would “reflect” on whether he could still help the team (Daily Mail). He carried on. Celtic also went out of Champions League qualifying against LASK and sold Arne Engels to West Ham before that tie, according to the Daily Mail, which also reports that Carter-Vickers said the team “played a bit too random” against Rangers. The players say they are behind him: Colby Donovan told the Daily Record that “we stick with the gaffer always”.
What is in O’Neill’s favour?
Celtic are top of the league, two points better off than at this stage last season (Daily Mail), and O’Neill rescued them twice last season, after Brendan Rodgers left in October 2025 and again after Wilfried Nancy lost six of his eight games (BBC Sport). Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond called him “the outstanding candidate” when he was made permanent in June. The Daily Record’s Keith Jackson argues that the bigger question is the board’s long-term plan rather than the manager alone.
When are Celtic’s next games?
Celtic have two home games before the international break. Both could shape what the club does next:
| Date (UK time) | Match | Competition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 5 November 2026, 20:00 GMT | Celtic v Beşiktaş, Celtic Park (TNT Sports 3 / HBO Max) | Europa League, league phase Matchday 4 | Radio Times |
| Sunday 8 November 2026, 16:00 GMT | Celtic v Kilmarnock, Celtic Park | Scottish Premiership | Kilmarnock FC |
Beşiktaş have seven points from their first three Europa League games, according to the Daily Record. If Celtic lose again they could drop to the bottom of the 36-team table. Our Europa League tips list all of Thursday’s ties involving British clubs, including this one.
Who could be the next Celtic manager?
Neil Lennon has been the name most often linked with the job since September, with Shaun Maloney next. Celtic haven’t said they are looking for a new manager, and nobody has been approached as far as any reputable outlet has reported. Being linked with a job, or listed in a betting market, doesn’t mean a club is interested. The names in the reporting so far:
- Neil Lennon: managed Celtic twice and was Dunfermline manager when he was linked in September. When O’Neill said in September he would reflect on his future, bookmakers made Lennon favourite to replace him, as reported by the Irish Mirror on 21 September.
- Shaun Maloney: the former Celtic winger is one of O’Neill’s coaches (BBC Sport, Daily Mail), so he would be an internal option. He has previously managed Hibernian and Wigan Athletic.
- Robbie Keane: linked with the job before O’Neill was made permanent in June, after leaving Ferencváros. BBC Sport reported that several Celtic supporters’ clubs opposed his appointment because of his time as Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach.
- Scott Brown and Steve Clarke: the former Celtic captain and the former Scotland head coach were both in the first market reported by the Irish Mirror in September.
We haven’t added names that only appear on fan sites or in rumour columns. If Celtic make a change, the club’s past habit of turning to O’Neill or another interim first matters for how bets are settled (see below).
What are the latest next Celtic manager odds?
We don’t show prices on this page. The only next Celtic manager market we could find published with a time and date was from 21 September 2026, from a bookmaker we don’t list, and those prices are now six weeks old. In that market Neil Lennon was favourite, with Shaun Maloney second (Irish Mirror). If you look at the market yourself, check when the price was set and use our implied probability guide to see what a price means as a percentage. Our betting odds explained guide covers fractional and decimal odds.
For the Premier League, our sack race odds page covers every manager under pressure, and next Man Utd manager odds covers Michael Carrick, whose side host Roma on Tuesday 3 November (see our Man Utd v Roma prediction).
How do next Celtic manager bets work?
A “next permanent Celtic manager” bet wins only if your selection is appointed as the club’s next permanent manager. It isn’t settled when O’Neill leaves, but when his permanent successor is named. That can take months if Celtic use an interim, as they did twice last season. As an example of how one bookmaker settles these markets, Sky Bet’s football specials rules (checked on 22 October 2026 for our Man Utd page) say:
- Caretakers and interims: don’t count unless they complete at least 10 competitive games, in which case they are treated as the permanent manager. O’Neill’s first interim spell last season lasted eight games (BBC Sport).
- Unlisted managers: if someone who wasn’t quoted is appointed, all bets stand, so every listed selection loses.
- Directors of football: an appointment of a director of football doesn’t count.
Other bookmakers write their own rules on interims, void bets and job titles, so read the rules where you bet. “Next Scottish Premiership manager to leave” is a different bet: it pays if O’Neill is the first to go, not on who replaces him.
Should you bet on the next Celtic manager?
We don’t tip this market. Prices react to every result and report, your stake can be tied up until a permanent appointment is made, and the club may not make a change at all. If you do bet, treat it as entertainment, with a fixed budget you can afford to lose. Before using a welcome free bet on a specials market, check that the offer allows it: our guide to how free bets work explains the usual restrictions.
Which sports welcome offers can you use?
New customer offers from UK-licensed bookmakers are below, with the significant terms next to each one. Each needs a deposit and a qualifying bet. Read the terms before you sign up, including any rules on which markets the free bets can be used on. Compare bookmakers in our UK betting site reviews.
How do you stay in control when betting on football news?
Manager markets are betting on news, and news can turn in minutes. Set a budget, don’t chase a price after it has moved, and use the deposit limits and time-outs every UK-licensed bookmaker offers. Free, confidential support is available from BeGambleAware.org and the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Our responsible gambling page lists more help.
Sources checked
- The Irish Times (PA): Martin O’Neill tells Celtic to cut out defensive errors after Falkirk defeat (1 November 2026)
- Daily Mail: O’Neill is running out of road (2 November 2026)
- Daily Record: Keith Jackson on Dermot Desmond and Celtic (2 November 2026) and Daily Record: Colby Donovan on the dressing room (2 November 2026)
- BBC Sport: Scottish Premiership table, read 3 November 2026
- BBC Sport: O’Neill confirmed as Celtic’s permanent manager (11 June 2026)
- Radio Times: Europa League TV schedule 2026/27 (published 2 November 2026) and Kilmarnock FC: Celtic (A) fixture moved (4 September 2026)
- Irish Mirror: favourite to replace Martin O’Neill (21 September 2026)
- Sky Bet help centre: Football Specials Rules (next permanent manager), checked 22 October 2026
Affiliate disclosure: onlinebetfree.co.uk may receive a commission if you open an account through links on this page. This does not affect the offers we list or how we describe them, and it never changes the terms a bookmaker gives you.
FAQs
Is Martin O'Neill leaving Celtic?
Not as far as anyone has announced. He was still manager on 3 November 2026 and Celtic had said nothing about his position. He is under pressure after six defeats in ten games, with Beşiktaş (Thursday) and Kilmarnock (Sunday) to come before the international break.
Who is favourite to be the next Celtic manager?
Neil Lennon, now Dunfermline manager, was made favourite by bookmakers in September, with Shaun Maloney second (Irish Mirror, 21 September 2026). We haven't found a newer published market, so check the current price yourself.
How long is Martin O'Neill's Celtic contract?
He signed a one-year contract with the option of a further year when he was made permanent manager on 11 June 2026 (BBC Sport).
When is Celtic's next game?
Celtic v Beşiktaş in the Europa League at Celtic Park on Thursday 5 November 2026, 8pm UK time, live on TNT Sports 3 (Radio Times). Then Celtic v Kilmarnock on Sunday 8 November at 4pm.
Does an interim Celtic manager count for next manager bets?
At Sky Bet, not in its next permanent manager market unless the caretaker completes at least 10 competitive games, when they are treated as permanent. Other bookmakers set their own rules, so check before you bet.