Next Celtic manager talks 'on ice' as Parkhead front-runner touches down in Asia for Liverpool legends outing
A leading candidate to be named as Celtic’s next permanent boss has ventured out to South Korea for a charity legends match
Robbie Keane been at the centre of ‘constructive talks’ with Celtic supremo Dermot Desmond over the vacant manager’s position this week - but those conversations have been put on ice for the time being to allow him to fulfil a charitable obligation.
The former Republic of Ireland international has travelled to South Korea ahead of playing for Liverpool legends in a charity match against Spanish giants Barcelona on Saturday.
Tournament organisers, ‘Champions Impact’ shared footage of the players involved arriving earlier today and it features a clip of Keane signing autographs for local fans after touching down in East Asia.
Keane is battling with 74-year-old Martin O’Neill to land the Hoops job and is on the lookout for his next role after quitting Hungarian side Ferencvaros. His bid to become the Scottish champions next permanent boss has been met with resistance among a small minority of the Celtic fanbase due to his controversial time spent managing in Israel.
An X-rated banner was displayed outside Parkhead by prominent ultras group the Green Brigade on Wednesday, taking aim at both Keane and Desmond.
Keane is a pariah in his homeland due to his association with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he launched his dugout career back in 2023. He was branded a ‘Zionist rat’ and ‘Blood money Robbie’ - sentiments that have echoed with a section of the Celtic fanbase after his emergence as a serious option to lead the club forward.
Keane, who will reunite with close friend and former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard in Seoul as part of a star-studded line-up will lace up the boots once more to face the Catalan giants who will have the likes of Carlos Puyol and Andres Iniesta pulling on the jersey again.
According to the Irish Examiner, Keane is the preferred candidate for Celtic’s majority shareholder Desmond. It appears to be a straight shootout between the 45-year-old and O’Neill to land the position.
It comes amid reports claiming that Keane has already earmarked club legend Scott Brown for a place on his planned backroom staff, featuring ex-Aberdeen star Stephen Glass and fellow countryman Jonny Hayes.
The pair were team mates at Celtic park for a short period after Keane was signed on loan during Tony Mowbray’s reign in 2010.
Latest next Celtic manager odds
- Robbie Keane - 4/5 fav
- Martin O’Neill - EVENS
- Craig Bellamy - 10/3
- Roberto Martinez - 11/1
- Oliver Glasner - 12/1
- Steve Clarke - 14/1
- Kieran McKenna - 16/1
- Shaun Maloney - 18/1
- Thomas Frank - 20/1
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