It seems as though Celtic’s manager for next season is between two candidates – Martin O’Neill and Robbie Keane.
Dermot Desmond has held talks with Keane over the managerial role, while O’Neill has always remained in the background after the success of the recently concluded campaign.
On one hand, you have O’Neill, who managed to bring a broken Celtic together, including taking the heat off an under-pressure board.
That ended with Celtic winning the domestic double and also securing a record-breaking 56th Premiership title.
It’s quite simple: if the powers that be at Celtic Park opt for Keane, not only do they risk angering a section of the fanbase, but that heat in the kitchen becomes far worse.
Give us your gut feeling after the cup final… will Martin O’Neill be Celtic manager next season?
Martin O’Neill over Robbie Keane every day of the week
First and foremost, Keane has just managed to finish second in a one-team league after Ferencvaros missed out on the Hungarian title.
Yes, the former Republic of Ireland striker still won a domestic trophy, but not winning the title with Ferencvaros is a real, real worry.
That is the equivalent of not winning the title with the Hoops in Scotland. Imagine the reaction?!
Then you have Keane’s decision to coach in Israel prior to moving to Hungary.
Whether people outside of Celtic supporters like to hear it or not, that will become a big, big issue if he is brought in by Desmond.
It will also probably further prove how tone deaf the Celtic board are because this broken relationship between the fans will only get worse.
Show the respect to the work O’Neill has done…
Not only did O’Neill win games and bring everyone together during his two spells in charge, but he did the ultimate, and that’s bring home the trophies.
If he wants the job and is happy to continue, despite hitting 75 next season, then do the wise thing and give him the job for next season.
Not only that, when you listen to the players talk about him, from Alistair Johnston calling for O’Neill to get a statue to Liam Scales saying he played his best football under the legendary Irishman, then it’s further proof that he should come in ahead of Keane.
From a pure footballing sense to off the field, everything points towards O’Neill being the right choice, and Keane being the utterly wrong one.
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