Robbie Keane and Martin O’Neill were the two names most heavily linked with the Celtic job, but a new report suggests the process may not have unfolded quite as many supporters believed.
For weeks, speculation centred on the idea that Celtic were choosing between O’Neill and Keane as they searched for a permanent manager following a chaotic campaign that saw several changes in the dugout.
According to the Irish Independent, the reality may have been different.
The report claims O’Neill was effectively given the chance to decide whether he wanted to continue before any move for Keane could be completed.
That would explain why Keane remained firmly in the conversation throughout the process. Rather than competing directly with O’Neill for the position, the former Celtic striker was reportedly aware that the veteran manager would have the first opportunity to stay on.
They also report that Celtic’s decision-makers were impressed by Keane during discussions.
It is claimed the club liked his long-term vision and had explored a structure that could have seen O’Neill remain involved in a different capacity while Keane stepped into the manager’s role.
Before the end of the season, that may have been a realistic outcome.
When O’Neill returned in January, many supporters viewed him as a short-term appointment brought in to steady the ship. The 74-year-old regularly spoke about his age and openly questioned whether he still had the energy to continue beyond the end of the campaign.
Then came the turnaround.
Celtic stormed through the final weeks of the season, won every post-split league fixture and lifted the Scottish Cup to complete the double. Suddenly, the idea of replacing O’Neill became far more complicated.
The report suggests those achievements changed the mood inside the club and forced a rethink over plans that had previously been moving towards a younger manager.
While some supporters’ groups publicly opposed his possible appointment, the report claims those objections were not the reason he missed out on the role.
Instead, O’Neill’s decision to continue appears to have been the key factor.
For Keane, the report suggests his discussions with Celtic were positive despite not leading to an appointment. The former Republic of Ireland captain remains highly regarded and, according to the Irish Independent, there is still a belief that he could become Celtic manager at some point in the future.
Whether that opportunity arrives remains to be seen. What this report does offer is a clearer explanation of how Celtic’s managerial search appears to have developed behind the scenes.
If Keane is ever our manager i would not be watching the team while he remained, and there are many others, including season ticket holders who would still buy their ticket but not attend.
People don’t seem to realise the level of war crimes going on, and the fact that under international law to help in this is a crime, infact not fighting this, is a crime. I’m not sure just how close, the close links between the football team and regime is, although I’ve seen some pretty incriminating pictures, but if its close enough, he may be seen as aiding the genocide, not just being a poor human to even consider taking up the position, while women and children are being slaughtered by the tens of thousands, a few miles away. His excuses quite frankly are shameful, even beating the Nazis ,’we were only taking order’ bull s..t. But international law is unequivical, no get outs, if you dont fight them you are with them being the basic gist.
Poor excuse for a human being.