DERMOT Desmond, the major Celtic shareholder, today revealed the Parkhead club hope to unveil their new manager “in the next four or five days”.

The Scottish champions have spoken to several candidates about succeeding Ronny Deila as boss – including Malky Mackay, Neil Lennon and Brendan Rodgers.

READ MORE: Poll - Who should be Celtic manager in charge at Parkhead next season?

And Roy Keane, Paul Lambert and Davie Moyes have all been linked with moves to the Glasgow giants during the summer.

Desmond, speaking at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the K Club just outside Dublin, admitted the matter should be concluded imminently.

Asked when an appointment would be made, he said: “Hopefully in the next four or five days, maybe early next week we will be to make an announcement. Negotiations are currently ongoing. We have spoken to a lot of managers.

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“We’d like to think that Celtic is a very big club and it needs a great manager to manage such a big club so we are looking for that type of person. I think we need a good manager.”

Desmond thanked Deila, who stood down as manager after leading Celtic to a second consecutive Ladbrokes Premiership title on Sunday, for his work during the last two seasons.

The Irish businessman stressed that he hoped his replacement could lead the Parkhead club back into the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in three years.

READ MORE: Poll - Who should be Celtic manager in charge at Parkhead next season?

Speaking to Sky Sports he said: “Ronny won two leagues, he added a lot to the club, he found it difficult in the last year which he admitted himself. Again, that era is over now. We thank Ronny for his efforts and now we are looking forward to the next manager building the club up to Champions League contenders.”