Ally McCoist claiming Celtic fans would “love” Robbie Keane becoming manager ignored the biggest issue surrounding his candidacy.
That does not mean Keane is a bad coach. His work in Hungary and Israel speaks for itself. But acting as though the majority of Celtic supporters would warmly embrace him ignores a huge part of the conversation.
Keane’s time managing Maccabi Tel Aviv would make him an immediately divisive candidate among sections of the support.
McCoist either ignored that completely or simply does not understand the mood around the club.
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Ally McCoist’s comments ignored the obvious Celtic issue
The former Rangers striker made the comments during a discussion with Jeff Stelling about Martin O’Neill’s Celtic future and possible successors.
Stelling said: “What about Martin O’Neill? Is he gonna stay on at Celtic?”
McCoist replied: “You know something Jeff. I’m actually not sure, I actually didn’t think there was any chance that he would, you know. But I’m just thinking it might appeal to him a little bit. There’s a rebuild needed Jeff. And he even said himself right at the end of the season he felt tired, but to be honest with you, the quieter it gets, I don’t know why, I think the more he might fancy it, you know.”
Stelling then added: “Yeah. Interesting that Robbie Keane’s left Ferencvaros, put two and two together, and I just wonder, and I asked the question yesterday, could could it be a Martin O’Neill, Robbie Keen dream team, if you like?”
McCoist responded: “Yeah, I tell you what, I know a lot of Celtic fans would fancy that, Jeff. I mean, I spoke to Robbie, actually, last season a couple of times. Obviously, I saw his team out there, he’s done a great job. He obviously had that period, that successful period in Israel as well. So, I think there’s a lot of Celtic fans would love to see it.”
That is the part that felt miles off.
Keane has just left Ferencvaros after a successful spell and there is no denying he has built a respectable coaching CV.
But his successful time in Israel means the reaction from supporters would be nowhere near as universally positive as McCoist suggested.
Mainstream pundits still misunderstand Celtic supporters
This felt like another example of mainstream football punditry reducing Celtic supporters to nostalgia and old connections.
Keane played for Celtic briefly. Martin O’Neill is a club legend. Shaun Maloney is already involved. On television, that sounds like a romantic football story.
In reality, supporters now judge appointments very differently.
There would absolutely be fans willing to support Keane based on his managerial record alone. But there would also be major opposition to the appointment and pretending otherwise is simply inaccurate.
The online Celtic supporter reaction already shows how divisive the idea is.
That is why McCoist’s comments stood out so much. He spoke as though the issue barely existed when in reality it would immediately become one of the biggest talking points surrounding any potential appointment.
Celtic supporters are far more politically and culturally aware than that discussion gave them credit for.
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