Robbie Keane is currently 60-40 to get the Celtic job ahead of Martin O’Neill, according to Mark Guidi.
News emerged earlier this week that Dermot Desmond prefers Keane over O’Neill, despite many expecting the latter to be offered the job after his significant impact in interim charge this season.
But by the looks of things, Keane currently leads the race. The 45-year-old is available having left Ferencvaros after they missed out on the Hungarian title.
Giving his update on the race, Guidi questioned the Parkhead decision-making.
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Mark Guidi: Robbie Keane is currently 60-40 to get the Celtic job over Martin O’Neill
Asked for an update by Paul Cooney on the Go Radio Football Show, Guidi said: “I don’t think either of them have been offered the job yet, Paul…
“But, right now, I would make Robbie Keane 60-40 favourite to get the nod ahead of Martin O’Neill.
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“I think Martin would’ve been offered it by now, and I think he should’ve been offered it by now.
“I see the headline on the back page of the Sun, and I get it. Derek McGregor’s story about, you know, ‘Martin v Robbie’.
“But do you know what that looks like to me? And that’s nothing against The Sun or the story… I just think it’s really disrespectful for Martin O’Neill, considering what he’s achieved in his two spells this season.
“To still have to fight for the job, ten days after he won the league and cup double, and it looks as though it’s still hanging out there?
“I just think it… it doesn’t sit well with me, that one.”
Many in the Hoops support would likely agree with Guidi that O’Neill warranted better than being in a “two-way battle” with a manager as unproven as Keane.
O’Neill arrived in London for talks on Monday evening and it seems that both candidates remain in discussions with the club.
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Celtic’s manager race: the state of play
Keane is already lining up his Celtic backroom staff, with Scott Brown and Jonny Hayes in line for Parkhead returns and Stephen Glass also prepared to accompany the Irishman.
O’Neill’s status will factor into Shaun Maloney’s role next season; the 43-year-old has reportedly been interviewed for the upstairs role of Head of Football Operations.
Keane’s pre-existing relationship with Desmond is well-known and undoubtedly a factor in his candidacy for the hotseat.
O’Neill has been vocal about his reservations over the role, and could yet decide to step out of the running.
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