The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Keane in talks over Celtic post
Roy Keane has held talks with Celtic over their vacant manager’s job, according to Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill.
ROY KEANE has held talks with Celtic over their vacant manager’s job, according to Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill.
O’Neill confirmed last night that his 42-year-old assistant has held informal talks with the Hoops, for whom he played briefly at the end of his career, after owner and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond had made contact.
O’Neill said: “I had a call the other day from Dermot Desmond wanting to speak to Roy if it was at all possible, and I mentioned it to Roy, of course.
“I am sure he was wanting to have chat anyway because a club like Celtic might not come around too often.
“It was just a really informal chat, I think, but if you are asking me would I be really disappointed? Of course if Roy was to leave us.”
O’Neill’s comments came minutes after he and Keane had put their players through their paces in an open training session at the Aviva Stadium amid mounting speculation that Keane is Celtic’s top target in the search for Neil Lennon’s replacement.
The Ulsterman admitted last weekend that he would not stand in Keane’s way if the call came, and while he insists nothing is yet decided, he is bracing himself for the departure of a man he brought back into the game following his appointment as Ireland boss in November last year.
Asked if Keane, whose odds with the bookmakers tumbled overnight, had been offered the job, O’Neill said: “I think it was really just informal chats.”
Celtic later confirmed in a statement: “Following speculation concerning the manager’s position at Celtic, the club can confirm that it is currently continuing its discussions with a number of excellent candidates. We will continue this process and select who we regard as the best appointment for Celtic.”
Keane last week played down the link with his former club, insisting he already had two jobs.