Martin O’Neill has not been ruled out of the Celtic job despite fresh reports linking Robbie Keane with talks over the manager’s position. [SunSport]
That has naturally increased talk around Keane’s chances, especially with the Irishman now available after leaving Ferencvaros at the end of the season. However, O’Neill remains very much part of the picture.
The 74-year-old delivered a remarkable turnaround after returning to Celtic in January. He inherited a side that had been through a bruising campaign, with Brendan Rodgers leaving in October and Wilfried Nancy’s short spell failing to settle the team.
O’Neill steadied it.
Celtic went into the post-split fixtures with work to do, then won all five league games to take the title. They followed that by beating Dunfermline 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final to complete the double.
That record has left the board with a harder decision than many expected.
SunSport reports that O’Neill staying on for at least another season has not yet been ruled out, with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham also valued after playing key roles in the coaching setup.
O’Neill himself has been open about the situation. After the cup final, he said he still had not been told what Dermot Desmond was thinking and admitted Celtic may look towards someone younger for the longer term.
That is where Keane comes in.
At 45, he would represent a very different type of appointment. He has managed Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencvaros, and his Celtic connection is obvious from his loan spell in 2010.
But O’Neill’s case is simple. He came back when Celtic needed calm, won the league, lifted the cup and restored belief in the squad.
Keane may be the name driving the latest headlines, but O’Neill is still in the conversation.
