Former Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley reckons that Roy Keane would be a box office appointment for the club. Speaking to The Huddle Podcast with Mark Wilson and Simon Donnelly, Hartley believes that the supporters are expecting a big name to replace Neil Lennon on a permanent basis.
“I think Roy Keane is passionate. I love hearing him, I loved watching him as a player, would he be the next Celtic manager? There is a possibility, but players are different now.
“He would be box office, and if Steven Gerrard is still at Rangers next year that would be tasty if Roy Keane came to Celtic. I think if he was offered the job I definitely think he would take it.”
Dermot Desmond was influential in bringing Keane to the club as a player and it was believed that he wanted him in 2014 after Neil Lennon announced his departure. Keane has not been a manager since 2011, when he left Ipswich Town. Since then he has been Martin O’Neill’s Assistant Manager with Ireland and Nottingham Forest as well as a period with Paul Lambert at Aston Villa. Keane is a big name and despite his no nonsense reputation, he is not the type of candidate the club should be pursuing.
After Roy Keane slated Doherty, I think it's important as a @CelticFC fan to remind ourselves of why I want Keane nowhere near our club. A coach who doesn't seem to have a scooby on the tactical side is not what the club needs @90MinuteCynic
Dohertys interview in 2018 on Keane. pic.twitter.com/wIluqUIO66
— Kieren Laverty (@KierenLaverty) February 28, 2021
John Kennedy is interim boss until the end of the season. Eddie Howe, Steve Clarke and Rafa Benitez have been linked with the job as Celtic look to bring in a Rodgers-esque announcement, to galvanise the support after the failed 10IAR bid.
The team are about to go into a transition period as they look to rebuild under incoming CEO Dominic McKay. McKay is believed to be involved in the planning for a overhaul of the football operations department as the Quadruple Treble Winners look to rebuild after a decade of dominance.
