BRENDAN RODGERS has emerged as odds-on favourite to take over at Celtic as the club step up their recruitment process.

The former Liverpool manager recently hinted at his potential interest in succeeding Ronny Deila and Celtic are believed to have followed up on that willingness to talk.

Reports now claim that the Northern Irishman is the number one target.

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However, it is understood that Celtic have a long list of candidates and they are going through the recruitment process methodically.

It is understood that former Watford and Cardiff manager Malky Mackay, a former Celtic player, was interviewed last week.

Former Celtic midfielder Roy Keane has also been heavily linked with a post which he turned down before Ronny Deila accepted the position two years ago.

The Republic of Ireland assistant manager later described the offer as the "right job, wrong time" after feeling Celtic could have done more to make him feel wanted.

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Former boss Neil Lennon outlined his desire to return to Celtic Park immediately after Deila announced his intention to step down, while the likes of Paul Lambert and David Moyes are also available, although the latter appears to have eyes on a return to the Barclays Premier League.

Deila returned to his native Norway immediately after Celtic finished their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign with a 7-0 victory over Motherwell on Sunday.

And the club hope to have a replacement in position soon given their Champions League qualifying campaign begins in mid-July.

Rodgers is keen to return to management after losing his job at Liverpool in October.

The 43-year-old, who led Swansea back into the English top flight, recently described the Celtic job as an "opportunity for someone to go to a great club".

He told Sky Sports News HQ earlier this month: "Well, it's an incredible club, a club that family and everyone support.

"Obviously the league isn't so competitive but Celtic are one of the great iconic clubs in the world, a huge club."

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The former Watford and Reading manager added that he "certainly" wanted to get back to work in the summer.