There are sections of the Celtic fanbase breathing a sigh of relief that Robbie Keane won’t be manager next season.
Following the conclusion of Celtic’s double-winning campaign, many feared Keane, who has previously managed in Israel, was going to get the gig.
Even though Celtic haven’t announced it, the right call has been made and Martin O’Neill will remain in charge for the club’s 56th Premiership title push.
Speaking on Record Sport, Michael Gannon shared an insight into the Keane saga, and how the former striker never expected the ‘backlash’ from the Hoops supporters over him possibly getting the gig at Parkhead.
“But I don’t think he expected the backlash that came on the back of him being linked to the job so strongly,” said Gannon.
“I don’t think it had any impact on him getting the job. I don’t think it was a case of ‘Oh, Robbie Keane is getting the job. But there is a backlash, so we are back to Martin.’ That’s not the case.
“I think Martin was always going to get first refusal, and he had earned that right.”
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What would be your one message to Martin O’Neill about Celtic’s upcoming transfer window?
Robbie Keane wanting a job ‘near London’ following Celtic manager links
Everyone is aware that O’Neill isn’t going to be in the Celtic Park hotseat for the long term, perhaps for next season only.
Therefore, in the meantime, it will be interesting to see what Keane does, because if he is still about next summer, then don’t bet against Dermot Desmond going in for him again.
Celtic’s principal shareholder hardly ever listens to supporters, and wouldn’t have done so with this Keane situation.
But according to Gannon on Record Sport, Keane wants a managerial job ‘near London’ after speaking to people ‘down south.’
The former striker began his career with recently relegated Wolves before embarking on a journey that included stints at now Frank Lampard’s newly-promoted Coventry City, West Ham United (who also suffered the drop this season), and a brief spell at Liverpool.
Ultimately, however, he is best remembered for his famous time at Tottenham Hotspur.
Perhaps Keane is waiting on something there, either way, this is what Gannon said about the Irishman, and O’Neill needing time to accept the Celtic job.
“I think he (O’Neill) wanted a few weeks to talk to his family,” said Gannon. “After Hampden, I am not sure he knew, at that point in time, what he thought. He was completely exhausted after getting that final push. I think he wanted a bit of time to think about it.
“You had the whole sideshow with Robbie Keane as well in the background. I think that was a bit of a distraction. A wee bit of a red herring.
“There is no doubt they had discussions. Robbie Keane, I don’t think it was particularly far down the road. I think Robbie knew the case with Martin and having first dibs.
“I also think Robbie Keane, speaking to people down south, I think there was a wee bit of, it kind of suited him to be in the media at first, because he is looking for a job, obviously. From what I can gather, he wants to work somewhere near London.”
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