For Celtic, the upcoming summer rebuild is already being complicated by a candidate that sections of the Parkhead support aren’t even entirely convinced they want: Robbie Keane.
Despite Keane emerging as a frontrunner for the Celtic dugout, the Ferencvárosi boss’s immediate future could be dictated by the unfolding disaster down in North London and at Tottenham Hotspur.
It could force the Celtic board to hastily rewrite their summer managerial shortlist.
As the debate intensifies over Keane’s suitability for the Glasgow giants, Wayne Rooney perfectly captured the danger of the Irishman’s alternative route, offering a stark warning:
“If I were Robbie Keane, there’s no way I’d leave a job to go to Tottenham,” said Rooney on The Overlap.
- READ MORE: Ferencvaros sporting director admits ‘possibility may exist’ for Celtic-linked Robbie Keane to leave
The links are back again… Would you welcome Robbie Keane as Celtic manager?
Tell us why…
Robbie Keane linked to Tottenham manager’s job amid Celtic talk
Rooney’s blunt assessment highlights a massive sliding doors moment for Celtic.
While Keane’s playing connection to Celtic was just a brief loan spell, his legendary status at Spurs makes their possible desperate SOS call, that’s if they sack Igor Tudor, understandable.
Tottenham are drowning in a Premier League relegation dogfight, paying the ultimate price for the staggering mismanagement of sacking Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou fresh off a Europa League triumph in the summer.
Should Keane answer the call to rescue Spurs from the drop, Celtic’s hierarchy will have no choice but to permanently look elsewhere if that happens.
And let’s be honest, those Celtic fans who don’t want Keane as the manager for next season would be delighted for that to happen.
But Rooney’s warning to his fellow striker certainly doesn’t help matters.
Ian Wright: “You know something, I think Tottenham, what are they waiting for now? You know what I’d do? I’d bring in Robbie Keane.”
Wayne Rooney: “I think they’ll go down. That’s why I was saying, if I were Robbie Keane now, I wouldn’t go in. If I were Robbie Keane, I wouldn’t leave a job to go to Tottenham now.
“If you’re (Tim) Sherwood or whoever is out of a job, I’d go in. But if I were Robbie Keane, there’s no way I’d leave a job to go to Tottenham.”
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
