Roy Keane will not be making a sensational return to Scottish football after being unimpressed by Hibs’ transfer setup. The Manchester United and Celtic icon was heavily linked with the Easter Rd vacancy but will not be included on Ron Gordon’s shortlist.
According to The Daily Record, Keane was not impressed by the transfer committee approach to business at the Edinburgh club and accordingly, was not considered as Hibs look to find a successor to Shaun Maloney.
The 50-year-old Irishman had been previously linked with the Celtic vacancy despite not having held the position of manager in over a decade. The Ireland legend has been Assistant to Martin O’Neill with Ireland and Nottingham Forest but this doesn’t bother some, who believe that Keane will be able to galvanise any group of players given his prestige as a player. Keane was said to have been offered the Celtic job after Neil Lennon left the first time but he didn’t take this opportunity, which he probably rues.
Keane made just 13 appearances for Celtic, scoring once before he was forced to retire. Keane would help Celtic complete a double that season with the League Cup and League, his last as a player.
Keane would likely have required sizeable support by way of funds to improve the quality of the Edinburgh outfit, who misfired under both Jack Ross and Maloney. He would have certainly been a box office name to encourage players (and fans) to come to Hibs. It will be interesting to see if Keane ever returns to the dugout, he has a high paid job with Sky Sports and regularly produces brilliant pieces of insight into the Premier League.
