Damien Duff is set to be announced as part of Stephen Kenny’s new look Ireland international set up.
The former Chelsea, Blackburn and Newcastle winger picked up over 100 international caps before moving in to coaching where he was promoted into Celtic’s first team set up when Neil Lennon took over from Brendan Rodgers.
Kenny was due to replace Mick McCarthy next season but with football suspended and the European Championships put back a year the FAI have brought forward their handover date.
The 42 reports:
THE FAI HOPE to secure an agreement with Celtic inside the next 24 hours to get Damien Duff on board Stephen Kenny’s coaching ticket. The association’s chief executive, Gary Owens, has already been in talks with the Scottish club to finalise an arrangement, which would likely see Duff continue his role as first-team coach at Celtic while operating as Kenny’s No3.
Keith Andrews, the former Ireland international, will be Kenny’s assistant manager, Duff the senior team coach. Under this set-up, it is impossible to see how there will be a role for Robbie Keane, who still has two years left on his coaching contract with the FAI, another legacy the new administration have inherited from John Delaney’s tenure. It is looking increasingly likely the FAI will have to reach a settlement with Keane.
Kenny has enjoyed some great results this season with the Irish u-21 side with Lee O’Connor enjoying regular action as well as promotion to the full international squad for his debut against New Zealand.
Celtic aren’t likely to put up any obstacles to Duff’s involvement with the international calendar running differently to club commitments.
International football was always a priority for Duff who represented Ireland at the 2002 World Cup Finals and the European Championships a decade later.