Celtic’s pursuit of a permanent manager reaches a pivotal moment this week as principal shareholder Dermot Desmond prepares for separate talks with Martin O’Neill and Robbie Keane. The meetings, scheduled to take place shortly, are poised to shape the immediate future of the Scottish champions following a turbulent season that saw O’Neill return for two caretaker spells and dramatically deliver a domestic double.
O’Neill, the 74-year-old former Celtic boss, answered an SOS call last term, first stepping in after Brendan Rodgers’ sudden resignation in October and then again during the season’s final straight. Despite limited time, he orchestrated a stunning league and cup double, sealing both trophies in the final week of the campaign. That success has left the board deeply grateful, and they are understood to be open to him continuing on a permanent basis—provided the terms and his personal desire align.
However, sources close to the situation indicate that O’Neill himself is weighing whether to commit to the rigors of full-time management at his age. Celtic’s hierarchy are not pressuring him, but they are keen to retain his experience in some capacity—ideally in a role that offers guidance and mentorship, even if he opts against taking the hotseat. Desmond is expected to explore both possibilities when they meet, underlining the high regard in which O’Neill is held.
Should O’Neill step aside, the path clears for Robbie Keane to emerge as a leading candidate. The former Celtic striker, who recently departed Hungarian side Ferencvaros, is a free agent and a figure Desmond reportedly admires greatly. Keane’s managerial CV includes an Israeli league and cup double with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2024, followed by a Hungarian title in his debut season at Ferencvaros in 2025. Though he missed out on retaining the league last term, he secured the Magyar Kupa before leaving Budapest.
The contrast between O’Neill’s seasoned, low-risk continuity and Keane’s relative coaching youth is stark. O’Neill brings institutional knowledge and an immediate bond with the squad, while Keane, at 47, represents a longer-term project with a modern, progressive coaching style honed across Europe. Club sources suggest that Desmond sees Keane’s energy and ambition as a potential catalyst for the next stage of Celtic’s development, especially after a season of upheaval.
Beyond these two, other names have circled the vacancy. Craig Bellamy, the former Celtic forward now managing Wales, was identified as a target last October. However, he has publicly committed to leading his country into Euro 2028 and recently reiterated that he is “happy” and still learning in the role. With Wales having narrowly missed out on the World Cup, Bellamy’s focus is fully on the national team. Roberto Martinez, the Portugal boss, is another outsider, but his involvement in this summer’s World Cup makes any move before pre-season unworkable for Celtic.
Timing is critical. Celtic want a manager in place before players report for pre-season training, ideally within the next fortnight. A prolonged vacancy could jeopardise transfer planning and disrupt the squad’s preparations for a season that will include Champions League qualifiers. The club cannot afford a repeat of last year’s choppy start, which saw them chasing from behind domestically.
Dermot Desmond, as the de facto decision-maker, is driving the process personally. His preference, according to well-placed sources, is to find a solution that preserves stability while injecting fresh ideas. The upcoming meetings are not merely exploratory—they are expected to yield a clear direction, with a final decision possible by the weekend.
For O’Neill, the choice is intensely personal. He has nothing left to prove, but the lure of one final chapter at a club where he is idolised could be compelling. For Keane, it is an opportunity to return to Glasgow in a far more influential capacity than his playing days allowed, with a chance to build a dynasty. The supporters, meanwhile, are split: some yearn for O’Neill’s proven leadership, others crave a bolder, contemporary appointment.
Whatever the outcome, this week’s talks will define Celtic’s path for years to come. With rivals Rangers also in transition, the Premiership landscape is ripe for a decisive move. The club’s hierarchy understands the weight of the moment and is determined to get it right, leveraging the unique mix of nostalgia and forward-thinking that O’Neill and Keane respectively bring.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.