Celtic’s search for a new manager continues to dominate Scottish football headlines, with the club yet to confirm who will lead them into next season.
The Hoops secured five consecutive Scottish Premiership titles with a dramatic final day victory just over two weeks ago, but the identity of their next manager remains unresolved.
Dermot Desmond and the Parkhead board are pressing ahead with their search as fixtures for next season are expected to be released within weeks.
Martin O’Neill remains the most prominent candidate, having stepped in twice last season following the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy.
However, uncertainty surrounds whether O’Neill, who turns 75 next season, has any desire to continue in the role on a permanent basis.
Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane has emerged as O’Neill’s chief rival, with the former striker described as firmly in contention for the position.
Keane arrives fresh from a challenging conclusion to his time with Ferencvaros in Hungary, where he expressed fury over a rule requiring all teams to field five Hungarian-born players at all times.
Speaking in 2025, Keane said: “This is not a good situation with the Hungarian rule. There are players who are disappointed in the Champions League matches, there are those in the championship that they can’t play. On Saturday we played with five Hungarians, the foreigners were angry. It’s not a good situation, I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. When I wanted to replace Barni, I had to replace two. This is crazy, ridiculous.”
Keane won the league in his first season at Ferencvaros and the Hungarian Cup in his second, before upstarts ETO Gyor ended their dominance by claiming their first league title in 13 years.
Former Republic of Ireland international Andy Townsend has backed Keane strongly, describing him as a natural successor to O’Neill at Parkhead should the veteran step aside.
Townsend, who earned 70 international caps including two World Cup Finals appearances, told OLBG: “I could see Robbie Keane being a success at Celtic, he’d bring all his energy in there and I could see him being a natural successor for Martin. He’d be the best bet for them, he has a real appetite and a real excitement around him.”
Townsend added: “He oozes that determination to be a success and I could see that really working at Celtic. Robbie has really found excitement in management. He seems excited at the prospect of his future in football management because he had a very good career as a player, he’s gonna get some exceptional opportunities come his way.”
Keane has reportedly already identified his preferred backroom team, which includes his former Ferencvaros assistant Stephen Glass, Jonny Hayes, and Celtic icon Scott Brown.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez also remains among the bookmakers’ frontrunners for the role, though his agent Jesse De Preter has cooled speculation, telling Celts Are Here: “There was no direct contact at all.”
Gareth Barry offered a contrasting view on Martinez’s future, telling Action Network: “Roberto Martinez will be looking forward to getting back into full-time management, as he loves the game and the day-to-day training. His training methods are fantastic, and his style of play is great. If Celtic secure Roberto Martinez, it would be a great coup.”
Wales manager Craig Bellamy is another name that continues to circulate, though he publicly reaffirmed his commitment to his current role ahead of his side’s 1-1 draw with Ghana, saying: “I’m not going anywhere, I’ve got another two years.”
Keane’s potential appointment does carry significant controversy, with a notable section of Celtic supporters opposed to his hiring due to his tenure at Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv during the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
The Parkhead board faces a defining decision that will shape the club’s direction heading into next season and beyond.
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