Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has thrown his own future into doubt after his side lost for the third successive match in all competitions on Sunday afternoon.

The Hoops head into the three-week international break after losing 3-0 to Rangers in the League Cup quarter-finals, 3-1 to Ferencvaros in the Europa League, and 1-0 to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

After losing to the Gers at Parkhead in the league on Sunday, O'Neill was asked if he is starting to think about walking away from the role in the coming weeks.

The Hoops boss said: "I genuinely will reflect and see. It's a matter of whether I can help the team because the manager is supposed to be able to do that. That's what I have to ask myself. I will have a look at that this week."

Why it is time for Celtic to move on from Martin O'Neill

With an unusually extended international break that lasts three weeks, this could be the perfect possible time to make a change in the dugout, giving the replacement as much time as possible to settle into life in the job.

It may be the right time for O'Neill to move on from his role, despite only taking the job permanently in the summer, as he seems to have taken the team as far as he can, which he has hinted at with his latest comments.

The club's performances and results in European competitions under the Northern Irishman since last season suggest that he may not have the tactical nous to compete against sides with similar or more quality.

Celtic have conceded 18 goals in nine European matches during O'Neill's current spell in charge, whilst they have also conceded four goals in their last two games against Rangers.

The Hoops, therefore, should be looking for a manager who can take them to the next level on the European stage, whilst also finding a head coach with the long-term in mind, as O'Neill was only ever a short-term option on a rolling 12-month contract.

Celtic have already held talks with the perfect O'Neill replacement

Back in February, after O'Neill took the job on an interim basis, the board looked at numerous potential options to take the role on permanently in the summer.

One of those options was Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen. TEAMtalk reported that the Hoops had made contact to hold talks with the Norwegian tactician about a possible move to Parkhead.

Celtic could finally put an end to O'Neill's managerial career at Paradise by parting ways with the veteran boss and making a move to bring the Bodo/Glimt manager to Scotland.

The 57-year-old head coach has all the attributes that the Scottish giants should be looking for in a manager, which is why he would be the perfect replacement for O'Neill.

Knutsen led Bodo/Glimt to the last 16 in the Champions League last season and has previously reached the quarter-finals of the Conference League and the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Celtic, meanwhile, have not managed to get past the last 16 in the Europa League or the Champions League since those competitions were formed, which speaks to their consistent struggles on the European stage over the years.

Knutsen, who has averaged 1.23 points or more per game in every European competition that he has managed in, could be the perfect person to take the Hoops to the next level in Europe.

He has also shown that he can mastermind wins against superior opponents on the European stage, beating Manchester City, Inter, and Atletico Madrid in the 2025/26 campaign.

His style of play would also be exciting for the supporters to watch. Former captain Bodo/Glimt Ulrik Saltnes described his playing style as "kamikaze", and current Celtic striker Kasper Hogh scored 24 goals in all competitions for him last term.

Knutsen plays a front-footed attacking style in a 4-3-3 formation which could get the best out of the Danish striker, given his goal record at Bodo/Glimt with him, and that could improve Celtic's offensive output after they failed to score in their last two domestic matches.

The Norwegian coach has also won four of the last six Eliteserien titles with Bodo/Glimt, which shows that he knows how to dominate leagues and win titles, which is what Celtic expect and demand.

Knutsen, therefore, could be the perfect replacement for O'Neill because of his ability to oversee success domestically and in Europe, whilst also playing attractive football.