Odds have been slashed on Martin O'Neill taking over as new Celtic manager - but John Kennedy is ODDS-ON to take the role permanently.

The interim boss won his first game in charge against Aberdeen last weekend and punters have flocked to the bookies to stick cash on their former assistant boss taking the reins full-time.

Neil Lennon resigned last week from the post and more managers are being added to the bookies' shortlist every week. Former manager O'Neill is third favourite at 10/1 but Eddie Howe remains just behind Kennedy as supporters hold out hope for the ex-Bournemouth head coach.

Manuel Pellegrini's assistant at West Ham, Enzo Maresca, is among the frontrunners, while Shaun Maloney, Damien Duff and Frank Lampard are there or thereabouts.

Rafa Benitez and Scotland boss Steve Clarke have both drifted significantly and a shock new name has been added to Paddy Power's list in Burnley boss Sean Dyche at 12/1.

A spokesman for the Irish company said: "Now the storm has calmed slightly, John Kennedy is now odds-on to be made permanent Celtic manager – no doubt framed with buzzwords such as ‘club man’, ‘rebuild job’, and ‘budget cuts’. OK, maybe not the last one.

"Everyone else has drifted, apart from Martin O’Neill – remember him? – who is into third favourite, although that may say more about the candidates he’s overtaken, than Martin’s chances."

Full shortlist with Paddy Power:

8/11      John Kennedy
9/2        Eddie Howe
13/1      Enzo Maresca

10/1      Martin O’Neill
10/1      Frank Lampard
12/1      Steve Clarke

12/1      Paul Lambert
12/1      Roberto Martinez
12/1      Sean Dyche

14/1      Rafa Benitez
14/1      Mark Hughes
16/1      Shaun Maloney
16/1      Roy Keane
16/1      Damien Duff