Celtic has apparently held “constructive talks” with Robbie Keane over the new managers position, it has been revealed in a new update…
This afternoon Sky Sports has reported that principal shareholder, Dermot Desmond, has spoken to Robbie Keane and is also scheduled to sit down with Double winner and Celtic legend Martin O’Neill, to see how he feels moving forward.
Former Ferencvaros and Maccabi Tel-Aviv head coach, Keane, is said to be interested in taking over the Scottish Premiership Champions heading into next season, and would be prepared to pen a three-year deal at Celtic Park.
Keane is preferred candidate if there is a vacancy. He must await Celtic’s talks with Martin O’NeillÂ
The Irishman is said to be the preferred candidate to take over the Parkhead club, with Desmond the one who brought him to the Glasgow giants as a player, back in 2010.
Meanwhile, it is also claimed that Martin O’Neill is still very much in the running, with Desmond keen to sit down with the Kilrea man and talk through the matter to see if the 74 year-old wishes to remain as Celtic manager, in the aftermath of his discussions with O’Neill’s former player at international level.
Celtic exploring another short-term one season deal with Martin O’NeillÂ
As far as Sky Sports understands, the club are interested in exploring the potential for another short-term deal with the Celtic legend who rescued the Board’s blushes not once, but TWICE this past season.
Whether or not O’Neill has the appetite and desire to see another full season out, remains to be seen at this point, with all that’s involved a major undertaking for someone in the twilight of his career, admittedly.
Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham roles need to be clarifiedÂ
With Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham at the helm this year, the younger men were perceived to be dealing with the brunt of the work behind the scenes and on the training pitch, easing the pressure on the 74-year-old to work his man management magic.
Celtic keen to find a role for Martin O’Neill one way or the otherÂ
The broadcaster has also added fuel to the fire about both O’Neill and Keane being involved at Paradise this time around, with Desmond and his delegates eager for the elder statesman to stick around, even if he rejects the manager’s gig on a full-time basis.
It is claimed a role in either the football operations as a director of sorts could be on the agenda, and if failing that, at least acting as a sounding board for the next boss on a consultancy basis.
It seems the race is hotting up…if we can take from this update that the job is Martin’s for the new season at least then let’s hope that he’s up for it. Â Here’s the Sky Sports report….
BREAKING: Celtic have held constructive talks with Robbie Keane over their managerial vacancy.
Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond is due to speak with interim boss Martin O’Neill in the next 24 hours to establish his appetite for remaining at the club in some capacity🚨 pic.twitter.com/QOn0WUFXFF
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 3, 2026
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Paul Gillespie
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1 Comment
Our club “Open to all” mantra is certainly going to be tested over the next few weeks, by the looks of things imo?
Yet no-one knows what Keane might provide within the managerial role, if offered?
So the current backlash is based moreso on the individual in Keane, moreso than what he could actually bring to our club in footballing terms imo?
Struggling to see still, how such a transition, could run smoothly, without MoN being involved in some capacity?
DD certainly won’t be getting any credit, even if Keane was a big success in the managerial role regardless?
As supporters, at times it’s feeling that decisions taken, want to fail, just to be proved right in the outcome?
All without having a clue about what the outcome is going to be?
MoN done a fabulous job in achieving a double winning season in the end?
Moreso with installing a winning mentality back into our team, than with the style of football we deployed?
The quality of our team, was constantly questioned, despite 8 of our players heading off for world cup duties?
Not bad for a team within the SPFL, with not that great of a reputation within the European stage still?
We always knew that this summer was going to be regarded as a transitional period within our club.
Already judge and jury, has been placed upon the very first decision, in the making?
This without even knowing how or what the set up, might even be?
Short memory’s in operation, especially when Ange was appointed?
Admittedly thought it wouldn’t work? How wrong was I, upon the decision taken?
But at least he was given an opportunity to do his job?
That offer hardly looks like being on the table for Keane, that I’m getting very doubtful about whether MoN himself, can even smooth such an appointment over, at this current point in time imo?
Don’t see MoN as the solution for ourselves in the longer term, but do believe that he has a vital role to play, especially as our club is currently in a transitional stage at present?
To completely write off Keane moreso on personal terms, than footballing terms, is something that isn’t currently sitting well with myself at present?
Especially when the potential answers won’t be revealed until the start of September, and what we are looking like as a football team imo?