GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Former Celtic and Manchester United Player Roy Keane (C) during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on September 20, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Stephen McGowan isn’t writing off the prospect of Roy Keane taking on a management role at Celtic.
The Manchester United legend had spells managing Sunderland and Ipswich followed by stints as an assistant which included working under Martin O’Neill at Ireland and Nottingham Forest.
It is seven years since O’Neill and Keane left the City Ground with Keane spending that time reinforcing his status as a leading pundit.
In normal circumstances it would seem outrageous to consider Keane as a potential manager of Celtic but outrageous is one way of describing Celtic over the last 12/15 months.
What can’t be disputed us the influence of Dermot Desmond over the club.
O’Neill refers to the Irish businessman as the owner of Celtic, last October it was a phone call from Desmond that brought O’Neill back into management at Celtic
Nothing seems too ridiculous to suggest around Celtic, following Sunday’s Glasgow Derby McGowan told Herald readers:
Roy Keane sat glowering into the distance, flanked by his former Ipswich right-hand man Tony Laughlan.
After another dishevelled performance against their oldest rivals, Martin O’Neill spoke of taking time for a period of self-reflection. He will talk to the board of directors – code for Dermot Desmond – and discuss whether his race is now run.
It never takes long for rumours to start, and Keane’s Parkhead appearance set the WhatsApps flying. The Irishman’s last management job was 15 years ago and the idea should be too silly for words. The way Celtic run these days, you rule nothing out.
What should happen at Celtic with Martin O'Neill?
Resign- walk away on his terms
Sack- he can no longer win big matches
Continue- top of the league, why panic?
What should happen at Celtic with Martin O'Neill?
Resign- walk away on his terms
Sack- he can no longer win big matches
Continue- top of the league, why panic?
KEANE TO RETURN TO MANAGEMENT?
Keane’s appearance at Celtic Park on the same day as Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool were in EPL action was a surprise.
He was picked up during the second half by the Sky Sports cameras who never showed the Celtic directors at any stage.
Following the Derby defeat O’Neill admitted that it was a time for self reflection. He also discussed meeting with the board.
A three week break before the next match, away to Motherwell provides the perfect opportunity to make changes to management and coaching.
It appears that Lennoxtown will be virtually closed this week with the exception of players being treated for injury.
Until there is comment from the club there will be speculation that Sunday was O’Neill’s last game as Celtic manager.
Appointing Keane as manager would create plenty of headlines but after so long out of football it is hard to create a reasoned argument for such an appointment.
Keane’s exposure to the Scottish game consists of just 13 matches in 2006.
CLICK HERE for Keane’s Transfermarkt profile
Keane has the same attributes and drawbacks as Lennon – a motivator and a man-manager but not the most tactically astute, and a combustible personality capable of falling out with players, fans, press, directors, rival managers, people in the street and quite possibly his own shadow and reflection….
Do we really want to go back there again?!
After the SC Final, MON was in the building and wanted to stay:
it still took the Board almost 3 weeks after that last game of the season to sign him up.
IF MON walks away now, then it’s most probably [?] another Interim Manager until season end?
That’s the easiest, laziest, most convenient approach for the Board.
And, anyone with a prior Celtic connection could be considered a potential candidate:
ex-manager, ex-player / loanee, ex-coach?
And that’s about it?
Joe please no way can club even consider Keane as a candidate if Martin decides to walk…the guy is a walking time bomb and not a good manager…….Roy Keane likes his money and i don’t see him walking away from a couple of sky million a year just to be controversial on Sunday afternoons
Clubs a parody now.
Just when you think the madness has reached peak.