Martin O’Neill and Robbie Keane will go head-to-head within the coming days within the struggle to take cost of Celtic subsequent season.
Parkhead powerbroker Dermot Desmond is because of maintain talks with each males in London over the put up with no different candidate presently within the operating.
It’s understood {that a} choice is probably going by the top of the week, with the Irish billionaire eager to supply readability forward of a serious rebuild of the squad over the summer season.
O’Neill twice returned to the membership to take cost final season, ultimately main the aspect to a exceptional league and cup double.
Following the victory over Dunfermline within the Scottish Cup remaining, the 74-year-old didn’t rule out beginning the season again within the dug-out however made it clear that he was not the correct candidate if Desmond was in search of somebody for a longer-term ‘venture’.
However with the World Cup throwing up uncertainty within the switch market, the prospect of the veteran once more working in tandem with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham holds apparent enchantment.
Boyhood supporter Robbie Keane is within the body for the Celtic job after departing Ferencvaros
Keane, although, could be keen to commit for 3 years, with Eire’s report cap holder believed to have earmarked former Celtic gamers Scott Brown and Johnny Hayes as potential backroom males.
Like O’Neill a lifelong fan of Celtic, Keane performed for the membership on mortgage in 2010 and final 12 months, whereas boss of Ferencvaros, didn’t rule out the prospect of sooner or later turning into the supervisor.
The 45-year-old has simply left the Hungarian membership, the place he claimed the title and the cup in his 18-month stint.
Previous to that, he managed Israeli aspect Maccabi Tel Aviv, the place he additionally received the title.
Celtic’s last-gasp title win ensured they’ve one other crack on the Champions League subsequent season. However with a play-off towards the likes of AEK Athens or NK Celje mendacity in wait in mid-August, the brand new supervisor shall be afforded as a lot time as potential to revamp the squad.
Wales boss Craig Bellamy yesterday distanced himself from stories linking him to the Parkhead place as he underlined his dedication to main his nation into Euro 2028.
Martin O’Neill led the membership to a league and cup double however admits he is not a long-term choice
Bellamy, who’s midway by way of a four-year contract, admitted there have been affords for his providers amid hyperlinks to Burnley and Celtic, however mentioned: ‘Wales have given me this chance and I’m actually grateful for that.
‘I’m totally targeted on the subsequent two years and being Welsh supervisor is exclusive, full cease.
‘It doesn’t matter what membership I’ve been at, my nation is crucial factor. To be nationwide staff supervisor… it’s a tremendous time and I don’t need to want that away.’
In the meantime, AC Milan are reported to have joined the checklist of golf equipment retaining tabs on Celtic’s Belgian midfielder Arne Engels.
The 22-year-old was the topic of a £25million bid from Nottingham Forest within the January window and he’s believed to be eager on exploring his choices as quite a few English and European golf equipment monitor his scenario.
Lazio and Roma have each been linked with the person who arrived in an £11m deal from Augsburg in 2024, however Milan could possibly be set to make their transfer as they appear to finish a serious revamp of the San Siro squad this summer season.
