The speculation has been going on for months while Neil Lennon was in the job and because Celtic don’t have a man in place yet, it will continue now the Celtic managerial role is vacant.

Sky Sports pundit, Jim White threw out three names this morning as the speculation ramped up surrounding the next permanent manager.

Three names that Celtic fans would probably go for, albeit their list of 1 to 3 may be different.

So Neil Lennon parts company with @CelticFC – Clarke, Benitez, Martinez three names in the frame.
Reaction from John Hartson on @talkSPORT from 10.

— Jim White (@JimWhite) February 24, 2021

Benitez

The Spaniard is currently unemployed and was aware of the interest in him last time around when Neil Lennon was the interim manager. Reports down south have continually claimed Benitz wants another crack at the Premier League and Celtic are unlikely to match his ambitions in the transfer market.

Martinez

Most people will scoff at this, and as I write this I’m scoffing in my head. However, it’s a bit of a wild card option and the lay of the land would have to go Celtic’s way for it to happen. The links between Martinez and Scotland are there, his wife is from Scotland and his assistant manager is a former Celtic player in Shaun Maloney.

Could Shaun be the broker in a deal for something big like this to happen? It all depends on Celtic’s ambition, Martinez’s thoughts about club football and no other large clubs try and approach before or after the Euros.

Steve Clarke

He seems like more of a natural option and a man who can get the best out of an average bunch of players, so what can he do with a talented group?

The biggest thing in the way of any move for Clarke would be the Scotland gaffer’s disdain for the poisonous culture within the Glasgow setup. It would appear to be a deal-breaker if there was interest there.

Who would you like to be the next Celtic manager?