Ipswich Town boss Paul Lambert, once said to be the front-runner for the top job at Celtic, is a long-shot outsider after Neil Lennon resigned this morning.

Lennon ended his second spell at the Scottish giants with his side 18 points behind Steven Gerrard's surging Rangers outfit.

East Anglian Daily Times: Neil Lennon resigned as Celtic boss this morningNeil Lennon resigned as Celtic boss this morning (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Assistant boss John Kennedy will take temporary charge as the search for a new boss begins.

Eddie Howe, Steve Clarke and Frank Lampard are among the early favourites but Lambert - who spent seven highly-decorated seasons at Celtic as a player - is a long way down the list at 33/1, according to Oddschecker.

That's despite a report in December which suggested Celtic were lining him up as Lennon's replacement.

East Anglian Daily Times: Celtic's Paul Lambert (left) and Jackie McNamara celebrate with the SPL trophy. Photo: PACeltic's Paul Lambert (left) and Jackie McNamara celebrate with the SPL trophy. Photo: PA (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Asked about it at the time, Lambert said: "That (the manager’s job) is not my thing. I had eight brilliant years there. One or two hard ones, but the pressure and everything that goes with that club is brilliant.

“Lenny is a good pal and he’s done really well there."