Celtic are overlapping a fair bit with Tottenham when it comes to managerial reports.
Spurs sacked Thomas Frank on Wednesday morning, with the Lilywhites being sucked into a relegation battle under Ange Postecoglou’s successor.
Postecoglou was sacked by the London club at the end of last season, despite leading them to a historic Europa League final victory.
So what now? Postecoglou has been linked with a return to Celtic, but another man linked with the Parkhead dugout has been Robbie Keane.
However, Keane’s affiliation with Spurs is stronger than his Celtic connection… so could they take him from under the Celts’ noses?
I want the next manager of Celtic to be…
Robbie Keane stance on Tottenham amid Celtic links
Keane has qualified for the latter stages of the Europa League with Ferencvaros, learning his trade as a Head Coach in Europe.
His previous spell at Maccabi Tel Aviv has been problematic for some Hoops fans, but Keane applied for the Celtic job prior to the eventual appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
READ MORE: Martin O’Neill admits referee ‘paranoia’ after Celtic vs Dundee incident
Keane’s pre-existing relationship with Dermot Desmond is also unlikely to do him any harm in the eyes of the Parkhead hierarchy.
Tottenham are reportedly considering following Manchester United’s lead by hiring an interim boss before undergoing a more thorough search for a permanent appointment.
But on Sky Sports News, Michael Bridge has made it clear that Keane would not make himself available interim manager.
He said: “Michael Dawson’s just texted me saying ‘Robbie Keane’.
“I was told that he wouldn’t come as an interim. But that’s a very interesting one from Michael Dawson there.”
Of course, when you go down that route, you run the risk of the interim boss doing a better job than your eventual pick… cough, Nancy.
But if Keane is not to consider a switch to Tottenham, he is bound to be in conversations should O’Neill vacate the Parkhead hotseat in the summer, as is currently expected.
Would any Celtic fan really have Robbie Keane as the boss some time in the future? Let us know in the comments.
Other candidates for Celtic’s permanent role in the summer
So far, O’Neill has indicated that he wouldn’t consider staying in charge next season… but until he is formally asked the question by the club, you can’t rule it out.
Postecoglou reportedly wouldn’t rule out a return, but the Australian will be a man in high demand, despite being sacked twice in England last year.
Roberto Martinez is hotly favoured in the bookies, but the potential hold-up caused by his appointment in the World Cup with Portugal could complicate things.
Craig Bellamy, another strong contender, could also be involved in the World Cup if he successfully navigates Wales’ play-offs next month.
Jens Berthel Askou’s exceptional season at Motherwell also makes him a contender.
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