That's it from me, folks, But as our live page comes to an end, there's plenty more on this story for you to get your teeth into.

• Our news story giving you all the details
• Our dedicated Celtic page where you can keep up to date on everything that's going on
• The noise you hear isn't the rain outside, it's the noise of Tom English's digits scudding off his keyboard. We'll bring you his thoughts as soon as we get them
• The Scottish Football Podcast will be up on Tuesday (early morning if you're in the UK) with even more reaction

Good night, all.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

When the time comes, what on earth is Brendan Rodgers going to say in return?

Popcorn at the ready...

Iona: My question is, who is telling the truth? The board or Brendan Rodgers? As the old saying goes “there are two sides to every story” and Desmond’s statement certainly tells a different narrative.

As for old timers, please don’t disrespect Martin O’Neil with that term. The messiah has returned.

As fate would have it, Martin O'Neill was on TalkSport this morning discussing the Scottish Premiership title race. Here's what he said...

“Hearts have shown a great determination. Their record is great, at this minute. With Celtic not being as strong, as physically as strong, as maybe you would want them to be. It is possible.

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

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Is this the line?

"What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model, but to one individual’s desire for self-preservation at the expense of others."

To be fair, there's plenty to pick from. Blockbuster.

It's fair to say the statement from Celtic's major shareholder Dermot Desmond was absolutely box office stuff. Here's a few quotes:

• "Unfortunately, his conduct and communication in recent months have not reflected that trust."
• "Every player signed and every player sold during his tenure was done so with Brendan’s full knowledge, approval, and endorsement. Any insinuation otherwise is absolutely false."
• "Brendan and I met for over three hours at his home in Scotland to discuss the issue. Despite ample opportunity, he was unable to identify a single instance where the club had obstructed or failed to support him. The facts did not match his public narrative."
• "Regrettably, his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the Board."
• "What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model, but to one individual’s desire for self-preservation at the expense of others."

At the time of his exit, Martin O'Neill was the most successful Celtic manager since Jock Stein.

The two league titles he lost were by margins of a point and a goal.

He also oversaw a record seven consecutive victories in Old Firm derbies, and in season 2003-04 Celtic created a British record of 25 consecutive league victories.

Image source, SNS

So Brendan's gone - again - what next?

In step returning Celtic boss number two... Martin O'Neill.

There's few bosses who are adored more than the 73-year-old. During his five years at Celtic Park at the turn of the century, the Parkhead club won three league titles, three Scottish Cups, a League Cup, and got to the Uefa Cup final in Seville.

Image source, SNS

Here's what you've missed if you're just joining us:

• At 21:44 GMT, Celtic release a statement to announce manager Brendan Rodgers has resigned and that former boss Martin O'Neill will take temporary charge
• Exactly 15 minutes later, another statement, this time from major shareholder Dermot Desmond, is published, declaring "his actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving"
• The news breaks a day after Celtic lost 3-1 to Scottish Premiership leaders Heart of Midlothain, slipping eight points off the title pace

Hearts and Rangers fans only this time, what do you think? Are Hearts fans anxious a new manager may get a better tune out Celtic? Rangers fans, can you capitalise on the chaos in the short term?

Let us know what you think.

Right, absolutely Celtic fans only (everyone else will get a shot in a minute).

Are you happy Brendan Rodgers is away? Get on the thumbs.

Dave: This might sound harsh but it’s a cowardly move from Rodgers. It basically says, even though I have resources that are five times larger than Hearts, I’m not sure I can turn it around so I’ll get out now and blame others before it tarnishes my reputation.

O’Neill appointment is interesting and the speed of the announcement (even if temporary), is clearly intentional, but the problems run deeper and I’m skeptical as to whether O’Neill can magically fix and unite the club.

Paul: Desmond's words seem incredibly harsh. It feels like a character assassination of Brendan Rodgers. A man who has delivered repeated success to the club. It is an attempted deflection technique from the behaviour of the board.

More fan replies coming in. Let's look at these before we turn to the man who is making his return to Celtic Park...

Quite a stat this one, courtesy of the very helpful Scotland's Coefficient, external X page.

In 137 years of the Rangers-Celtic rivalry, both clubs have never before seen their managers depart mid season in the same campaign. This season it has happened in the same month.

So Celtic have dropped points in almost half of their matches this season, leaving them eight points behind Hearts.

At one point Rangers were in crisis with their own manager in Russell Martin departing. They were nowhere to be seen, now they're only five points behind with an Old Firm Premier Sports Cup semi-final to come on on Sunday.

Would the parting of Celtic and Brendan have happened sooner if it weren't for Rangers arguably being in a worse state? Just a thought...

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Just over six weeks ago, external Brendan Rodgers said he would "100%" be open to extending his contract even after a poor transfer window.

Asked if he felt let down by the club's inability to back him, Rodgers said: "It's not about me.

"I want Celtic to be the very best that it can be. My ambition is for the club, for our supporters, for the players.

Image source, SNS

"It's not a personal thing for me. I can only do my very best to improve what it is we need to improve. Whatever situation I'm in, I will then look to be the very best that I can be.

"The first time I was here, I probably left because of that [frustration at lack of backing]. But I won't be doing that this time. Absolutely no chance - 100%.

"My duty is to be here and help the team, the squad, the club get back again and moving on."

It all started in the summer.

Brendan Rodgers was open about the recruitment in the summer transfer window before and after it shut. There was a sense coming from his press conferences he wasn't being backed or getting the players he wanted.

You then had the Scottish title holders being dumped out of the Champions League play-offs by Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan. Again, heightening the disenchanted vibes being given off between Rodgers and board.

We then had a sticky start to the domestic season. Celtic's normally formidable frontline stalled and stuttered while Hearts motored ahead. Last weekend Dundee stunned Celtic with a deserved win, triggering Rodgers to come out with the line about driving Honda Civics and Ferraris.

A steady Europa League win followed midweek, again with chat of his resources. Then we had Sunday's defeat at Hearts, with even more of it.

Image source, SNS

This is already doing the rounds on socials.

Somehow, I think not...

Image source, .

June, 2023. The Rodgers return.

Brendan Rodgers returned to the club after a trophy-laden first stint that ended with him departing for Leicester City. It left his reputation in the eyes of many fans in tatters, but he came back to win them back around.

Just over two years and two more league titles on, it's all over.

How are we feeling Celtic fans?

Image source, SNS