Graeme Souness and Niall Quinn have discussed the prospect of Roy Keane becoming Celtic manager amid continued uncertainty surrounding Martin O’Neill’s future.
Keane was back at Celtic Park for Sunday’s Glasgow Derby defeat and his appearance in the stands inevitably sparked speculation over a potential return to management.
The Manchester United legend previously held talks with Dermot Desmond over the Celtic job in 2014 before withdrawing from the process, clearing the way for Ronny Deila to take charge.
Keane later worked alongside O’Neill with the Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest before establishing himself as one of British football’s most prominent pundits.
Speaking on Graeme Souness Tackles, Souness said of last weekend’s Glasgow Derby: “I watched that game… there’s been such a turnaround in Scotland.
“Football’s mad. Go back to the start of the season… under so much pressure. There’s talk of him getting shown his P45, and then, in seven days last week, they turned it completely around.
“I think they’re in the ascendancy now. Celtic look like they’re feeling a wee bit sorry for themselves and in both games I’ve watched them last week and yesterday, they were bullied. Rangers just bullied them.
“And for any Rangers team to go to Parkhead and win, it’s quite a feat. It’s a hard place to go and get a win. I’m a big fan of Martin O’Neill, and I just look at him yesterday in his interview… it was a tired Martin O’Neill.
“And I’ll just throw this at you now. Roy Keane being in the stands, does that mean anything? He was at this game yesterday at Parkhead…”
Quinn said: “If Roy wanted to put his name in the hat, it would be huge. He hasn’t managed for a while, but you’d be a testament to say that when it’s in you, it’s in you forever.
“I think he’s more or less said that himself, and I certainly wouldn’t object to think that would be a hell of a thing to do. I had him myself at Sunderland, and he really got the city going – because he’s box office, the man. There’s no doubt about that.
“I just think he looks very happy doing what he does these days. I’ve never seen him smile so much! Going back in at the deep end, and having referees and things go wrong, and matches at the weekend and players… I don’t know if the fire will still be raging in him.”
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