Celtic reportedly weigh up bringing back a former manager to replace Martin O’Neill: “It’s unbelievable.”

Celtic have been urged to reconsider any plans to bring Neil Lennon back to the club if Martin O’Neill decides to leave his position.

Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness believes the Scottish giants should avoid another reunion with Lennon and instead appoint an experienced manager capable of taking the team forward. O’Neill, 74, has indicated that he will consider his future during the international break, creating uncertainty about Celtic’s managerial situation.

Lennon has already been linked with a possible return and has reportedly emerged among the bookmakers’ leading candidates. However, Wyness believes the former Celtic boss should not even be considered, despite his extensive history with the club.

Lennon previously made more than 200 appearances for Celtic as a player and later enjoyed two managerial spells at Parkhead. He won five Scottish Premiership titles during his time in charge and remains a well-known figure among supporters. He is currently managing Dunfermline Athletic.

Wyness questions another Lennon return

Wyness, who previously served as Aberdeen chief executive and now advises clubs through his consultancy work, has questioned why Lennon is being discussed as a possible successor to O’Neill.

According to Wyness, Celtic need to move towards an experienced appointment rather than returning to a familiar manager. Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he expressed surprise that Lennon was reportedly considered a leading candidate for a third spell.

He described the possibility as something that “beggars belief” and argued that Celtic should look beyond their former manager.

Wyness also referred to Celtic’s brief appointment of Wilfried Nancy, describing it as an experiment involving a developmental manager. In his view, the club should now prioritise experience if O’Neill decides that he cannot continue.

For Wyness, the preferred candidate is Kieran McKenna, who previously managed Ipswich Town and has developed a strong reputation as a coach.

McKenna emerges as Wyness’s preferred option

Wyness believes McKenna would be the right choice for Celtic and has identified him as his number one candidate.

The Northern Irish coach left Ipswich during the summer and has continued to attract attention from clubs looking for a new manager. His coaching reputation and previous work with Ipswich have made him an appealing option in the current Celtic discussion.

McKenna was also recently spotted at Celtic Park during the club’s defeat against Rangers, adding another detail to the growing speculation surrounding his name.

However, his potential appointment would not be straightforward. Celtic would need to negotiate with Ipswich and potentially meet a substantial compensation figure before any deal could happen.

£8m compensation could complicate Celtic’s plans

Wyness previously claimed that Celtic have the financial resources required to pay an £8 million compensation package for McKenna.

That figure would represent a significant investment, particularly when the club could have other managerial candidates available. Wyness nevertheless believes the compensation could become a hurdle Celtic are ultimately forced to overcome if they decide McKenna is the right person for the position.

The former Aberdeen executive suggested there may not be many obvious alternatives capable of matching McKenna’s profile. Celtic would therefore have to decide whether the financial commitment is justified by the long-term direction they want for the club.

O’Neill’s decision remains central

Despite the growing speculation, Celtic’s immediate situation remains dependent on O’Neill. The veteran manager has indicated that he will assess his future during the international break, meaning the club may not need to begin a managerial search at all.

O’Neill returned to Celtic during the previous season and was subsequently appointed permanently on a one-year contract with an option for another year. The club has publicly backed his leadership, meaning any decision to leave would come from the manager rather than an already announced change from Celtic.

If O’Neill stays, talk surrounding Lennon and McKenna could quickly disappear. If he departs, however, the club would face an important decision over its next manager.

Lennon would offer familiarity, previous success and considerable knowledge of Celtic, while McKenna would represent a different coaching profile and potentially a major financial commitment.

For now, neither man has been confirmed as Celtic’s next manager. Wyness has made his preference clear, but the final decision would belong to the club’s hierarchy if O’Neill eventually steps away.

The coming weeks could therefore determine whether Celtic continue with O’Neill or begin a search for a new manager, with Lennon and McKenna among the names generating discussion.

Any appointment would also carry significant expectations because Celtic supporters demand immediate results and sustained success. The board would have to consider how a new manager fits the squad, recruitment plans and European ambitions, while also assessing the financial implications of compensation and staff changes. Until O’Neill confirms his intentions, however, the speculation remains unresolved and every possible successor remains just that: a possibility, rather than a confirmed appointment at Celtic Park.

The current Celtic situation has since developed, with Celtic officially confirming O’Neill on a one-year deal with an option for another season in June 2026.