Niall Quinn Backs Roy Keane as Potential Box Office Choice for Celtic

Roy Keane has emerged as a speculative candidate to replace Martin O’Neill at Celtic after attending the Old Firm derby, amid a three-match winless run and O’Neill saying he would reflect on his future. Former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn called Keane a potentially “box office” appointment, while questioning whether the former manager—who has said he might return to coaching—would leave his successful punditry career. Rangers great Graeme Souness also raised the significance of Keane’s appearance and described Celtic as having been outmuscled by Rangers. Keane previously held talks about the Celtic job in 2014 but withdrew from the process; Celtic has publicly backed O’Neill, and no appointment has been announced.
Keane said his interest in management had not disappeared, telling Micah Richards there was “something there” and that “the pilot light is still on” for a return to the dugout.
Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast that he had not gone to the derby with the intention of replacing Celtic’s manager.
Keane’s last managerial role ended in January 2011, when Ipswich sacked him after the club lost seven of its final nine league matches.
Quinn questioned whether Keane would give up punditry for a return to management, saying he seemed happy in his current work and wondering whether “the fire will still be raging in him.”
Before the current speculation, Keane held talks with Celtic owner Dermot Desmond about the managerial vacancy in 2014, then withdrew from the process; Ronny Deila was appointed instead.
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