Rafa Benitez has been backed into a staggering ODDS-ON favourite to replace Neil Lennon as Celtic manager.

Betfair also SUSPENDED betting on the head coach yesterday afternoon.

The Spaniard left Chinese club Dalian earlier today after agreeing to mutually terminate his contract.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon is currently seriously under pressure with his side 20 points behind Rangers in the Premiership.

The Northern Irishman did recently insist he was going nowhere and would not walk away from the club.

That has not prevented bookies Paddy Power from altering their odds based on punters heaping cash on the former Newcastle and Real Madrid manager.

Benitez has been backed into as short odds as 1/9 with second favourite Eddie Howe at 10/3.

We told how bookies had SUSPENDED betting on the ex-Bournemouth gaffer to replace Lennon should the club opt to relieve him of his duties.

Celtic are due to review Lennon’s position as boss and are expected to allow him to keep his role until at least the summer, with a ‘complete overhaul of football operations’ set for down the line.