Slovan Bratislava are competing with Celticβs interest in Robbie Keane.
Amid uncertainty over the future of Martin OβNeill beyond this Saturdayβs Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline, alternative candidates are emerging for the hotseat.
Among them are Keane and Wales boss Craig Bellamy, named as a prominent candidate by credible reports. That makes two Celtic strikers who had successful spells on loan from England at the back-end of non-title-winning seasonsβ¦
Celticβs preference between the two remains to be seen, but if they are to go for Keane, they wonβt be the only interested party.
The links are back again⦠Would you welcome Robbie Keane as Celtic manager?
Tell us whyβ¦
Slovan Bratislava chief Ivan Kmotrik Jr: weβd like to meet with Robbie Keane
Club chief Ivan Kmotrik Jr said of their managerial search this week: βThe names Igor BiΕ‘Δan and Yaya TourΓ© are based on the truth, which is why I confirmed them.
βWe also have other candidates here that I can mention. There is a very interesting name, Sergej Rebrov, who was successful as a coach wherever he worked.
READ MORE: Martin OβNeill fires back at Tony Bloom, sets out Dermot Desmond talks
βNext up is ValΓ©rien IsmaΓ«l, successful in Austria, who has also played for clubs in England, again a very interesting name.
βRobbie Keane could also be an alternative, we will see how the situation develops in FerencvΓ‘ros, if there is an opportunity, we would like to have a meeting with him as well.β
Since Kmotrikβs comments, Robbie Keane leaves Ferencvaros as Celtic manager talk ramps up strengthening speculation about his next managerial move.
Youβd have to assume that, faced with the two opportunities, Keane would opt for Celtic.
Beyond just his playing and (supposed) personal connections to the Hoops, the two clubs are of different levels of stature and revenue. You could even argue that Slovan would be a step down from his current role at Ferencvaros.
Keane is certainly remembered fondly for his excellent form when brought to the club on loan from the second half of the 2009-10 season, a disappointing campaign for the club as a whole.
His spell managing in Israel is troubling for parts of the Parkhead support, but it clearly isnβt dissuading the club from considering him as a candidate.
At Ferencvaros, he delivered the clubβs first European knockout win in 50 years against Ludogorets earlier this year, also winning the Hungarian Cup.
However, last week, Keaneβs side lost the title after a seven-year streak, a major black mark against his time at the Budapest giants.
I want the next manager of Celtic to beβ¦
Robbie Keane has opened the door to joining Celtic
Speaking last month, Keane left the door wide open to a potential switch to Celtic, saying: βI have ambitions and everyone wants to get to the highest possible level they can.
βIβm very lucky that Iβm at a top club in Ferencvaros. Of course, there are other bigger clubs, we all know that.
βFerencvaros is a top team in Europe and thatβs why I went there. I am at a high level in terms of what I am doing and what we achieved in the Europa League.
βI am already at a big club but if I donβt have ambitions to go to the highest level, I might as well stop. If I donβt believe I can get to the top, thereβs no point being a manager.
βDonβt always think that, βYou are happy to stay hereβ, even though you could stay for 20 years. Always think you can reach even higher, because that drives you on β that makes you a better manager.
βI always have to believe I can go to the very top and win a lot of trophies. If I donβt, I wonβt do it.β
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