ROY KEANE has overtaken Brendan Rodgers as the latest favourite to be the next manager of Celtic.
Three Irishmen now head the betting, with Neil Lennon third favourite to return to the Parkhead hotseat, but Keane is the new the frontrunner ahead of former Liverpool boss Rodgers.
On Tuesday, Irish bookmakers Boylesports suspended betting on Keane succeeding Ronny Deila, paving the way for other bookies to receive an influx of bets on the former Ireland captain.
Paddy Power had priced Keane as a 20/1 outsider this time last week but have cut his odds from 9/2 to 8/11 in the last 24 hours, and there’s been a similar trend across the industry.
Sky Bet spokesman Steve Bramley said: “We’ve seen plenty of interest in the next Celtic manager market but we’re yet to be convinced that any of the contenders are a certainty for the job.
“Roy Keane attracted some backing on Tuesday amid news that another bookmaker had suspended betting on him getting the job, but the stakes don’t imply that there’s real substance to it so we’re keeping him just about odds-on at 8/11.
“Brendan Rodgers has actually attracted the majority of stakes overall but drifted out to 5/2 after Keane’s backing, while Neil Lennon (5/1), David Moyes (8/1) and Paul Lambert (10/1) are considered the other options.”
Deila will leave Parkhead at the end of the season having overseen two somewhat underwhelming campaigns at the club.
Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, meanwhile, remains a rank outsider for a return to the club at 20/1.
