GENERATION GAME

MARTIN O'NEILL insists he won't be in the frame to become permanent Celtic boss again - even if they leave Hampden tomorrow with a cup final in the diary.

- MICHAEL GANNON

The stand-in boss is a hero to Hoops fans and victory over Rangers in their Premier Sports Cup semi-final showdown would turbocharge the season.

Celtic have kicked off the hunt for a new gaffer after the shock departure of Brendan Rodgers.

Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna, Wales boss Craig Bellamy, Robbie Keane and England Under21 coach Lee Carsley are among the early favourites.

O'Neill and assistant Shaun Maloney got off to a flier against Falkirk with Wednesday's 4-0 victory watched by major shareholder Dermot Desmond.

And there would be plenty of backing for the pair to land the gig fulltime if they can engineer a triumph over Danny Rohl's Ibrox side.

But O'Neill said: "The only people who would be saying that are my two daughters.

"Oh no, I don't think this is a renaissance. I just think this is a fill-in.

"First of all, you have to try to win a game of football.

"There's an international break coming up and I genuinely haven't spoken to Mr Desmond.