Celtic ready to offer Martin O’Neill alternative role alongside new manager

Celtic are prepared to make Robbie Keane manager and offer Martin O’Neill a role upstairs if the veteran does not want to carry on in the dugout, talkSPORT understands.

Keane is in pole position to take charge of his former club if O’Neill decides he does not have the drive to continue on the touchline.

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Ex-Republic of Ireland international Keane held positive talks with the Hoops hierarchy earlier this week after stepping down as Ferencvaros head coach.

Keane has won the title in Hungary and Israel as a manager.

Meanwhile, the 45-year-old enjoyed a four-month loan spell at Celtic Park from Tottenham Hotspur in 2010.

During his stint in Scotland, Keane scored 16 goals in 19 appearances across all competitions.

He had previously emerged as a contender to replace Oliver Glasner as Crystal Palace manager earlier this year.

The Eagles are currently exploring a move to appoint Lens boss Pierre Sage, though.

As for O’Neill, the legendary Celtic boss returned to the club on an initial caretaker basis in October after Brendan Rodgers’ exit.

However, after Wilfried Nancy was sacked in January, he was installed on a deal until the end of the season.

O’Neill went on to guide the club to a league and cup double as they pipped Hearts to the title on the final day of the season.

Their record-breaking 56th league triumph was followed by victory over Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final a week later.

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talkSPORT verdict

Simon Jordan has backed O’Neill for the Celtic job after his stunning turnaround of the club’s fortunes last season.

The Bhoys won 14 of their 18 league matches following the 74-year-old’s return to the dugout in January.

His side had trailed leaders Hearts by six points after Nancy’s exit, only to finish two points clear of their title rivals.

Reacting to the news that the club now plan talks with both O’Neill and Keane, Jordan has thrown his support behind the former.

Speaking on Wednesday’s White & Jordan, the talkSPORT co-host explained: “Martin should be getting the job.

“Martin should not be talking himself down in any shape or form, but I suspect that’s a football manager saying, ‘I want to be told how much I’m loved and I want to be given all the appreciation I should be given.’

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“He is perfectly capable of managing Celtic for another couple of years. He’s got bags of energy, we see him in the studio, he’s a livewire.

“He may well be tired like we all get tired at moments in time, but the only way Martin shouldn’t get this job is if he doesn’t want it.

“He’s gone in there, he’s fixed the problem, he’s very reliable, he’s very good at what he does. He galvanises the support base and more importantly than all of that, he wins.”

O’Neill has now won eight trophies with Celtic in his career after three league titles, three Scottish Cups and the Scottish League Cup during his first spell in charge.

He also reached a further Scottish Cup final as well as the UEFA Cup final back in 2003.