Former Celtic managerial target takes new starring role
Robbie Keane was at one stage last season, a frontrunner for the vacant Celtic managerial position. However a massive backlash from Celtic supporters made any proposed move untenable, due to hs career choices…
Keane was a popular figure during a short loan spell in Glasgows East End back in 2010, but his relationship with not just Celtic supporters, but folk back in his native Republic of Ireland turned sour due to his decision to accept employment in Israel.
Now the former Spurs, and Liverpool man has landed a plum punditry role in the Iconic BBC highlights show Match of the Day, alongside former Celtic favourite Joe Hart.
The 46 year old who recently coached Hungarian side Ferencvaros, has now swapped the dugout for the TV studios, and we can expect to see him on our screens for the foreseeable future.
The BBC announced the news as follows:
“Footballers Toby Alderweireld, Robbie Keane and Ashley Young, and former Tottenham manager Thomas Frank will join Match of the Day as pundits and BBC Sport will launch four new YouTube formats for the new men’s football season.
“The new pundits will join Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards, Alan Shearer, Joe Hart and Danny Murphy as well as other Match of the Day regulars.”
It’s believed that Keane was high up on the list to become full time manager at Celtic last summer.
When the Irishman revealed that he was leaving Ferencvaros midway through the season, he was naturally linked with the Celtic vacancy with Martin O’Neill expected to stand down from his interim role in the summer.
But after securing a domestic double in the most dramatic of circumstances, and the backlash from the supporters to the proposed deal for Keane, the veteran Irishman was persuaded to take the role full time.
Martin O’Neill signed a one year contract with an option both ways for a second year. shortly before his recent hospital stay the 74 year-old ruled out taking up that option. Perhaps that will chance as Martin was clearly poorly at that stage?
His side are now on the verge of Champions League qualification after an impressive 3-0 win over LASK in the playoff first leg at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening. The Celtic leg in Austria on Tuesday has to be negotiated carefully and if that’s done Celtic will be in the draw next Thursday.
