One week after Neil Lennon resigned as Celtic manager it seems certain that Roy Keane is about to take over as hoops boss.
A rush of money for the former Manchester United skipper on Wednesday saw the odds tumble with Martin O’Neill taking over from his assistant for the media conference intended to preview Saturday’s friendly with Italy.
That fixture in London looks like being Keane’s farewell to the Irish squad who travel to the United States for two more end of season friendlies.
Keane has only spoken once in public since Lennon stepped down and in classic defensive mode briefly let slip that he could be on his way to Celtic.
Fielding questions with a smile he repeatedly responded with ‘I’ve got a job’ but 13 seconds into the interview below let slip ‘that I might have another one’.
That interview took place 24 hours after Lennon resigned and suggests that Celtic, or more accurately Dermot Desmond, was in immediate contact with Keane.
Always a divisive character in Ireland, some fans will be unhappy to see Keane quit his role with Martin O’Neill but they are likely to be the ones that find fault with whatever move he makes.
Keane is clearly a key figure in O’Neill’s management team and although warm to the move it’s unlikely that he would have been the Derryman’s first pick for his backroom team.
With the familiar figures of Steve Walford and Steve Guppy now working with the international squad O’Neill can cushion himself from the loss of his assistant although he will attempt to hold on to Keane.
“I would be very disappointed to lose him,” O’Neill said at yesterday’s re-arranged media conference. “But it’s a very big job, obviously, and those kind of offers might not come around often.
“I want him to stay because I think it would be great, but then again, the idea that we only have X number of games during the course of the season.
“I’ve told you before myself, the thing that I found, that I knew I would do, going into international management is (missing) the day-to- day running of affairs.
“I am enjoying this immensely, but it’s something that has taken me a little bit of time to get used to.”
The prospect of Keane combining managing Celtic and assisting Ireland is bound to be discussed but is unlikely to satisfy either side.
Ireland fly out to New York on Wednesday for their final games of the season with all the indications being that Keane will be in Glasgow sizing up the task of managing Celtic.