Keane opens the door to management return on the back of Celtic speculation

It is seven years since Keane was at the coal face in management but his appearance at Celtic Park last Sunday was picked up on by Sky Sports.

Keane was asked on the Premier League A-Z podcast with Micah Richards if the door to management remained afar.

The Manchester Evening News reported the legendary Manchester United skipper saying:

Strangely enough, at weekends when I’m watching games, there are teams I watch and you go, ‘I think I could go in there and do a job.’

But it’s mostly at weekends. It’s not through the week. It’s not Monday morning when I’m having my scrambled egg at the local cafe, just reading a paper.

All these managers driving up and down the motorways and stresses. But yeah, I do. I think there’s always something there.

The pilot light is still on for something. If someone gave me a phone call and told you, you know what? Who knows? It’s going to be unlikely.

Last Sunday Keane just happened to be watching Celtic. Asked if he still watched and analysed matches in manager mode Keane added:

Yeah. Because even when we’re watching games, you look at it from a manager’s point of view.

Yeah, maybe, maybe. But then to actually go in there and do it, the logistics of everything.

But the reality is then, and I’ve had opportunities the last few years, but then there’s contracts and staff issues and you go, ‘Really?’ And sometimes you go, ‘Stick to what you’re doing’.

There is clearly an element of unfinished management business in Keane’s mind.

Against that he has a very settled lifestyle and media commitments that could easily last for another decade.

KEANE FACES THE DILEMMA OF MEDIA STABILITY AGAINST AN URGE TO HAVE ANOTHER TRY AT MANAGEMENT

As he knows from his own direct experiences football management offers no guarantees.

There is little doubt that Keane taking on a senior role at Celtic would have an instant impact but the question is whether that could be sustained.

Keane will know the circumstances that forced Brendan Rodgers into resigning. About the 33 day appointment of Wilfried Nancy and return of O’Neill.

The tension, frustrations and discontent among Celtic fans won’t come as a surprise.

A year ago the interim appointment of O’Neill provided a unifying force around the club.

How long Keane could maintain that is the issue.

There are clearly deep divisions between supporters and the boardroom. Results can cover that for so long but the undermining issues remain. Some might say that another failure to reach the Champions League confirms it.

Since O’Neill announced his intention to self reflect eight days ago there has been nothing out of Celtic except standard comment in the 2026 Annual Review.

Some sort of training should resume at Lennoxtown this week but it is unlikely that fans will hear much from inside the club.

While there is no further comment from O’Neill speculation over his future will continue.

Celtic face a heavy schedule of matches between international breaks starting with an eight day run of Motherwell, Benfica and Hearts.

That glut of fixtures also includes home Europa League matches against Celta Vigo and Besiktas.

Even if O’Neill continues as manager the comments of Keane will provide an alternative- with obvious Celtic connections.