Celtic could face a major battle if they decide to pursue Craig Bellamy as the long-term successor to Martin O’Neill.
The Scottish champions have been weighing up managerial options amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding O’Neill’s future, but interest in several leading candidates is beginning to intensify elsewhere.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou – who had been linked with the vacancy – has already accepted an offer to join French side Toulouse.
Attention has now turned towards Bellamy, with Burnley moving to appoint the Wales head coach following their relegation from the Premier League.
According to The Herald, the Championship club are understood to view the former Liverpool and Newcastle star as the ideal manager to spearhead an immediate promotion push after Scott Parker’s departure.
Bellamy remains under consideration at Celtic should O’Neill leave his post, despite repeatedly insisting his focus remains on Wales.
However, the opportunity to return to Glasgow — where he enjoyed a hugely successful spell as a player in 2005 — is thought to appeal strongly to the 46-year-old.
Bellamy scored nine times in just 15 appearances during a short-term loan at Celtic under O’Neill two decades ago and has retained ties to the club ever since.
Any side hoping to lure him away from the Welsh FA would reportedly need to pay compensation in excess of £700,000.
Meanwhile, O’Neill heads into this weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline with the chance to complete a domestic double after securing another league title last Saturday.
The 74 year-old — currently back in charge on an interim basis for a second time this season — has yet to receive clarity over whether Celtic want him to continue beyond the summer.
There is growing expectation of significant changes behind the scenes regardless of who takes charge next season.
Assistant boss Shaun Maloney is expected to move into a more senior football operations role as part of a wider restructure and could play a central role in squad planning alongside any incoming manager.
Elsewhere, Ferencvaros coach Robbie Keane continues to be admired by principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, while outgoing Portugal manager Roberto Martinez had also been mentioned among the possible contenders.
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