Robbie Keane was one of the frontrunners for the Celtic job, but the board opted to instead appoint Wilfried Nancy

Ferencvaros manager Robbie Keane has hinted that he’d like to become the Celtic manager at some stage in his career ahead of his side’s Europa League clash with Rangers.

Keane, who featured for the likes of Wolves, Tottenham and Liverpool as a player, had a six-month loan move in 2010. He was linked with a return to Parkhead more than 15 years after playing for the club when Brendan Rodgers announced his shock decision to resign from his post as Hoops manager. The 45-year-old stepped into a coaching role for the first time in March 2018 by becoming player-manager of ATK, a former Indian football club based in Kolkata, who competed in the top division during that period.

He stayed for just three matches before working as assistant manager to Mick McCarthy with the Republic of Ireland while also working in a similar position at Middlesbrough under Jonathan Woodgate. Keane worked as Leeds United assistant for a brief four-match stint under Sam Allardyce before taking his first permanent gig in management with Maccabi Tel Aviv where he won a league and cup double. The ex Tottenham and Wolves man is now in charge of Hungary’s leading club Ferencvaros, who he steered to a league title last season after taking charge in January.

Robbie Keane responds to Celtic managerial links

Keane, who was consistently mentioned as a contender for the Celtic job, insists his focus is entirely on Ferencvaros at this moment in time. Ahead of his side’s Europa League showdown at home to Rangers, he said: “My mind is here, and I'm very happy here. It has been a really good year. We won the league last season, and we are top of the league. I'm really enjoying it here, and there are good people here who are good to work for. This club is run very well by the president, the sporting director, and everybody involved - I couldn't be happier here, but I can't help speculation.”

However, the Republic of Ireland icon, failed to rule out the possibility of taking on the top job at Parkhead at some point in the future, adding: "You can never say never in football. I'm one of those guys who never thinks too far ahead. I can't, because if you take your eye off the ball here and start losing games, then you lose your job. Never say never, of course, but at the moment, I'm very happy here - it is a fantastic club."

What can Rangers expect from Ferencvaros?

Ferencvaros are the most successful team in the history of Hungarian football with a record-breaking 36 league titles. The side, based in Budapest, won the league by three points last season with a record of 20 wins, nine draws and four defeats last term.

They are riding high at the top of the table with 31 points from 16 matches and are two points ahead of nearest rivals ETO FC Gyor at present. Keane’s side have also taken well to the demands of European football this term, picking up three wins and two draws from their opening five matches, including victories over Genk, Red Bull Salzburg and Ludogrets Razgrad as well as points against Viktoria Plzen and Fenerbahce. Some of their standout players include former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and Hungary forward Barnabás Varga, who is currently the top scorer in the division.