BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the statement released by Dermot Desmond:

“I’ve seen it before, and I’ve heard boards feel like this before, but they don’t generally say it like that.

“It was an extraordinary statement. But if Brendan lasted this season I would have been absolutely staggered and amazed, unless it was an incredibly successful season.

“Boy, would you love to hear Brendan’s line on this!”

Dermot Desmond's 551-word statement that followed Brendan Rodgers' resignation blew this story wide open.

Here's a flavour of what Celtic's major shareholder had to say:

• Desmond rejected Rodgers' claim that the club had made no commitment over a new contract
• He insisted that every player signed and sold over the summer transfer window was done so with Rodgers' approval
• The Irish businessman claimed that Rodgers raised no concerns with the Celtic board over the club's transfer policy
• And he said that Rodgers' words and actions were "divisive, misleading and self-serving" and "contributed to a toxic atmosphere at the club".

If you are just joining us, you have missed a lot already for a Tuesday morning.

Brendan Rodgers resigned from his position as Celtic manager late on Monday, with former boss Martin O'Neill taking interim charge.

Speculation has already began on who could take permanent charge with Ange Postecoglou, another former Celtic manager, the top of the gossip pages.

Here's some key posts to recap the main news:

• Celtic's majority shareholder Dermot Desmond calls Rodgers 'self-serving'
• Why did Rodgers' relationship with board break down?
• Postecoglou back to Celtic?

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou had only just moved into his new flat when he was giving his marching orders at Nottingham Forest.

Only 39 days after being appointed, the 60-year-old became the shortest-serving permanent Premier League manager.

He did not even have time to take his post-match news conference, Forest acting only 17 minutes after the final whistle of the 3-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea.

Postecoglou, having replaced Nuno Espirito Santo on 9 September, was supposed to take the club to the next level and to their first major trophy since 1990.

But, after an eighth game without a win, Postecoglou left Forest as their shortest-serving permanent manager - less than Alex McLeish, who lasted 40 days.

Image source, Getty Images

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Chris Sutton
Former Celtic striker on Sky Sports

I think Ange Postecoglou would be a really smart appointment. He was loved the first time round.

His brand of football went down well in Glasgow. He's out of work. I think that would be a pretty obvious choice, a good choice and bring a lot of positivity back to Celtic, which they need right now.

Image source, Reuters

During his two seasons at Celtic, Ange Postecoglou won all there is to win on the domestic front.

He followed up a double in his maiden campaign with a domestic treble in his second.

Postecoglou's league win in his first season in charge was made all the more impressive by the fact rivals Rangers won the title by 25 points the season before his appointment.

2021-22

• Scottish Premiership
• Scottish League Cup

2022-23

• Scottish Premiership
• Scottish League Cup
• Scottish Cup

Image source, Getty Images

Whether he was expecting it or not, Martin O'Neill is in the Celtic hotseat, but for how long?

The 73-year-old has been appointed alongside former Celtic player Shaun Maloney as an interim management team.

However, the conversation has already moved on to who might replace them as the permanent boss.

Another former manager, Ange Postecoglou, is the man many are tipping to take the job.

The 60-year-old Australian, who was sacked after just eight games in charge of Nottingham Forest, is the bookmakers' favourite, according to the Scotsman, external.

Want more gossip? Have a read here.

Interestingly, Martin O'Neill had been on TalkSport earlier on Monday talking about the Scottish title race - and his belief that Hearts could become the first non-Old Firm side to win it since 1985.

The interview followed Hearts 3-1 victory over Celtic on Sunday in Brendan Rodgers' last match in charge and gave no indication that O'Neill was preparing himself to take the Celtic hotseat.

"Hearts have shown a great determination. Their record is great, at this minute," O'Neill said. "With Celtic not being as strong as maybe you would want them to be, it is possible.

"Celtic can actually lose games now, whereas before, they looked invincible in matches. Rangers are no threat whatsoever. They are so far adrift it's untrue.

"This is the moment - this is the time for Hearts. They have gone eight points clear. That is a decent enough lead, really. Their confidence has grown, and it will grow from that victory."

Image source, PA Media

Tom English
BBC Scotland chief sports writer on Scottish Football Podcast

Martin O'Neill's last job in management over five years ago at Nottingham Forest ended badly.

He's been out of the game for quite a while, he hasn't had a good experience in football for quite a while.

O'Neill will have the aura with every Celtic fan without question, but will he have the aura with the players?

Will he be able to get through to them?

What he did in the past, is that going to matter to some of the characters in the Celtic team?

You can listen to the full podcast here

Martin O'Neill does have a history of turning teams around and winning things, most notably in his first five-year spell at Celtic, but that ended 20 years ago.

He won three Scottish Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup with Celtic.

The 73-year-old's return to the club as interim manager is his first appointment in six years after leaving Nottingham Forest in 2019.

Earlier in his career, when in charge of Wycombe Wanderers from 1990-1995, O'Neill won the Football Conference, two FA trophies, the Conference League Cup and three Conference Shields.

He also won two Football League Cups while manager of Leicester City from 1995-2000.

On an individual level, he won the Scottish Premiership manager of the year in 2004 and the Scottish Football Writers Association manager of the year two times.

Image source, Getty Images

The size of the task facing Celtic is made clear by the Scottish Premiership table.

Brendan Rodgers' last act as manager was to lead them to a 3-1 defeat against leaders Hearts, who opened an eight-point gap over Celtic at the top of the table.

Celtic are also struggling in the Europa League, down in 21st place in the league phase table after a win, draw and a defeat from their opening three games.

They must finish in the top 24 after eight games to make the knockout stages.

Image source, Getty Images

Returning manager Martin O'Neill will not have to wait long for his first game - Celtic take on Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.

It is thought we will hear from O'Neill today in a news conference to preview that game, but the details of that have not yet been confirmed.

We will keep you updated as things progress.

Here are Celtic's next six games:

• Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership, 29 October
• Celtic v Rangers, Scottish League Cup semi-final, 2 November
• Midtjylland v Celtic, Europa League, 6 November
• Celtic v Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership, 9 November
• St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, 22 November
• Feyenoord v Celtic, Europa League, 27 November

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

Paul Lambert was, of course, part of the Celtic team that made it to the 2003 Uefa Cup final under Martin O'Neill.

He was joined by a host of talented players in that side, including Henrik Larsson, Stilliyan Petrov, Neil Lennon, Alan Thompson and Chris Sutton.

Lambert questions whether Martin O'Neill has the "tools" to work with in the current squad to enable him to have the same impact at Celtic this season.

Time will tell...

Paul Lambert
Former Scotland midfielder on the Scottish Football Podcast

Image source, Getty Images

You'll get the usual fans that'll come out and say it's great he's [Brendan Rodgers] away, and others that'll say its disappointing.

But the gaffer coming back in [Martin O'Neill] is probably the most successful manager, in most people's eyes, since Jock Stein.

O'Neill got the club to a European final, he's done the treble in his first year.

The gaffer has gone to Celtic to help them out, and the fans will think he can walk on water. They thought he could when he was there before.

The only difference is he doesn't have the same players, and that's the main part. That's the tools, and you can only work with what you've got.

But if there's any man that can turn things around and get them winning, get the crowd back on side, it's him.

You can listen to the full podcast here