Ex-West Brom boss Steve Clarke in frame for Celtic job
Former West Brom boss Steve Clarke is now the front-runner to be named Celtic's new boss after Roy Keane pulled out of the race to succeed Neil Lennon.
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Keane was thought to be close to being handed the job but asked the Scottish champions not to consider his candidacy.
That now leaves Clarke, 50, as the bookies' odds-on favourite, although there is competition from former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay and Owen Coyle, who has not worked since being axed by Wigan last year.
Ex-Chelsea defender Clarke, a boyhood Celtic fan, was sacked by West Brom after the Baggies won just three of their opening 16 games.
He was officially relieved of his duties five months later, despite having led the club to eighth place in the Barclays Premier League in his first season in charge.
The Hawthorns post had been his first as a manager in his own right having worked as a number two at Newcastle, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool.
