An ex-Premier League manager has emerged as a candidate to take over at Celtic at the end of the season

Celtic have had an uncertain season and as their attempts to claw back Hearts’ lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and retain their fifth successive league title continue, off the pitch the search is underway for the Hoops’ next permanent manager.

Former boss Martin O’Neill has been handed the reigns until the end of the season after the short-lived Wilfried Nancy experiment and Brendan Rodgers’ departure earlier in the season. O’Neill has seen results turn around somewhat since he returned for his second spell of this campaign alone, but a devastating 4-1 defeat at home to Stuttgart in the Europa League and a subsequent 2-1 home loss to Hibernian within the space of a week have threatened to derail the Glasgow giants’ progress both domestically and in their European campaign.

An ex-West Ham United manager has emerged as a possible candidate to take over at Parkhead as options for the role continue to develop.

Ex-West Ham boss Graham Potter dark horse for Celtic job

According to reports by Football Insider, former Hammers and Chelsea boss Graham Potter is a potential candidate to take over at Celtic at the end of the season, though his immediate availability could depend on if Sweden qualify for the World Cup.

Potter is currently in charge of the Swedish national team and they face a play-off tie in March against Ukraine on 26 March as they look to qualify for the showpiece tournament for the first time since 2018. Should they overcome that tie, a final against one of Poland or Albania awaits five days later with a World Cup spot up for grabs.

Former Premier League boss Potter currently sees his contract with Sweden finish after qualifying is over, with the potential to extend to the finals if the Scandinavian side qualify. This means that more clarity over the future of the 50-year-old should be available by the start of April.

Potter is viewed as an “outsider” to get the Celtic job at present, with his candidacy due to his experience managing 164 games in the top flight of English football. Celtic are ‘keen to assess every option available to them’, including Potter.

Postecoglou and Martinez headline growing list of managerial candidates

The next managerial appointment is an important one for Celtic as they look for a fresh start after a tumultuous season. A challenging campaign for both the Buoys and arch-rivals Rangers has meant that Hearts have led the Premiership for much of the year, backed by Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom and his data-led recruitment style.

Potter is not alone in the running to become the Hoops’ next boss – former fans’ favourite Ange Postecoglou has been often linked with a return, while Roberto Martinez has been one of the favourites to take over at Parkhead, currently in charge of the Portugal national team until the end of the World Cup. Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou and O’Neill himself are also thought to be in the running amidst a growing list of candidates.