Roy Keane is ‘unlikely’ to be offered the Celtic job, according to The Times. The outlet claims that the Irish legend is not at the top of the club’s shortlist, despite initial discussions being held with the 49-year-old. Keane is one name that has cropped up a lot as Celtic look to replace Neil Lennon, who resigned a few weeks ago.
Dermot Desmond has a relationship with Keane and it is expected that the billionaire would revisit this relationship as Celtic look to regain the league title after losing it to Rangers. Fergal Harkin is expected to be named as DOF but a new, modern management team is expected to be announced in due course with names like Jesse Marsch, Eddie Howe and Enzo Maresca suggested as potential candidates.
Hopefully the news that he is unlikely to be offered the job means that the club are pursuing a modern manager, someone that would be able to implement a style of play across the club – such as Brendan Rodgers did in 2016.
The former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder has been widely linked with the 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. He has most recently been a pundit for Sky Sports and whilst his rants have been humorous, you have to wonder whether the legendary midfielder has what it takes to be successful in the dugout given the seismic changes in football management in the last decade.
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. The outspoken Sky Sports pundit was Desmond’s favourite to become Neil Lennon’s replacement in 2014 but no deal transpired.
Fans have hardly been enamoured with the idea of Keane becoming the new Celtic manager. Despite his legendary status as a player, Keane has struggled to carry the raw determination that he had as a player into the dugout.
