Celtic may decide on their new manager within a couple of days, according to their biggest individual shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Desmond told the BSports the club has interviewed "in excess of six" candidates, with Brendan Rodgers known to be among them.

And the former Liverpool boss was described as "a great manager" by the Irish businessman.

"All of the people that we've interviewed merit the job," he said.

On Wednesday morning, Celtic released a statement saying there was no preferred candidate and that they would take their time over the appointment.

'I can't tell a lie'

"We're excited about the managers we've interviewed and we've discussed and hopefully in the next few days we will decide, usually with a manager, and enter negotiations," said Desmond.

"There's lots of people, I wouldn't speculate on who is the person at this point in time."

Asked if Rodgers was one of those interviewed, Desmond replied: "I can't tell a lie.

"He's a great manager, he's proved it at Liverpool and I think he's a worthy candidate for Celtic - as all the other candidates are."

Norwegian Ronny Deila left the manager's job after two years at Celtic.

Under Deila, the club won two successive Premiership titles, taking their current run of Scottish top-flight successes to five in a row, the previous three won on Neil Lennon's watch.

However, they have not reached the group stages of the Champions League since Lennon's time in charge.

Northern Irishman Rodgers and Scottish former Celtic defender Malky Mackay, 44, are among those know to have spoken to the club about the manager's job.

Both started their managerial careers at Watford and Mackay had a spell in charge of Cardiff City, while Rodgers was manager with Reading and Swansea City.

Mackay was sacked by Wigan Athletic six months before Rodgers was let go by Liverpool in October.

Four other former Celtic players - David Moyes, Roy Keane, Paul Lambert and Lennon - and Steve Clarke have also all been strongly linked with the Celtic job.