Roy Keane has reportedly declared his interest in managing Celtic, according to The Scottish Sun. The sensational report claims that the former Manchester United midfield would consider an offer to replace Neil Lennon as manager. The report claims that Keane would relish the chance to go head-to-head with Steven Gerrard whilst returning to management.
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 is an outspoken pundit but he is still a Celtic supporter and is believed to have a close relationship with major shareholder, Dermot Desmond.
Roy Keane in his playing days
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 for the first. 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, though many feel he is not the type of candidate the club should be pursuing.
It will be interesting to see if anything comes from this report, especially as the club look to modernise. For all Keane’s reputation, this may be a step in the wrong direction with many fans hoping for a Brendan Rodgers-esque appointment with names banded about like Eddie Howe, Roberto Martinez and even Rafa Benitez.