[long_read]

With just 11 games left to play in the Sky Bet Championship campaign, few would have predicted that Preston North End would be competing for a play-off spot almost six months ago.

The Lancashire club endured a turbulent start to the season, winning just one of their opening 10 league games, with the pressure building on Alex Neil.

Fast forward almost half a year, and North End remain well in the hunt for a play-off finish come the end of the season, with Alex Neil's men sitting six points off the top six having gone unbeaten in their last nine league outings.

It seems that Neil's work at Deepdale hasn't gone unnoticed either, with reports claiming that Scottish champions Celtic are believed to be considering the 37-year old for the vacant managerial role at Celtic Park, following the departure of Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City this week.

The 37-year old spent the majority of his playing career in Scotland, and also began his trade as a manager with Hamilton Academical, so it's clear that he has a close affinity with the SPFL.

If the worst does happen and Neil does leave for Celtic, here, we take a look at three ideal replacements for Neil at Preston North End...

[snack_break title="David Moyes"]

Moyes is no stranger to Deepdale having made over 140 appearances for the club as a player, as well as managing them for four years before departing for Everton.

The Scotsman has endured a turbulent couple of years since leaving Manchester United, and was given an almost impossible task to turn around Sunderland and West Ham's fortunes under tough ownership.

He is still a very, very good manager and it would be a real coup if the club were to land him.

[snack_break title="Mark Warburton"]

Warburton has been without a job since his departure from Nottingham Forest a couple of years ago, a sacking that split Forest fans right down the middle.

Warburton did a fantastic job at Brentford and guided them to a Championship play-off finish after taking them up from League One, and also developed several youngsters at the City Ground.

The 56-year old has been linked with a move to Bolton, but with the Lancashire club currently in turmoil, a move to Preston would be a smart move by the former Rangers boss.

[snack_break title="Gary Rowett"]

Rowett would also be a very good option for Preston.

The 44-year old is a vastly experienced manager who has excelled at this level with Derby County, and finished in the play-off places last term.

He endured a terrible stint at Stoke City, but will be looking to right his wrongs sooner rather than later.

[/long_read]