Keane dismisses Celtic speculation but admits managerial 'pilot light is still on'

Roy Keane has moved to quash speculation linking him with the Celtic manager’s job, saying he would never attend a match with the intention of targeting a manager under pressure — despite his presence at the Hoops’ recent Old Firm home defeat to Rangers raising eyebrows across Scottish football.

Keane’s appearance in the stands at Celtic Park last month, just seven days after the club had also lost to Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish League Cup, fuelled suggestions he could be in line to succeed close friend Martin O’Neill. The 74-year-old O’Neill, who worked with Keane at both Nottingham Forest and as Ireland manager, said after that defeat he would reflect on his future during the international break.

But Keane was unambiguous when the subject came up on The Overlap. “I wouldn’t go and watch a manager under pressure,” he said. “I know plenty who do that.” The comment appears to close the door on any notion that his visit was a calculated move ahead of a potential approach.

That said, Keane — whose last managerial role was at Ipswich Town 15 years ago, having also managed Sunderland — has not ruled out a return to management entirely. Speaking separately, he described a lingering appetite for the job. “At weekends, when I’m watching games, there are teams I watch and I think, ‘I could go in there and do a job,’” he said. “The pilot light is still on for something. If someone gave me a phone call, who knows? It’s going to be unlikely.”

He also acknowledged that previous opportunities had come and gone without materialising. “I’ve had opportunities over the last few years but then there’s contracts and staff issues and you go, ‘Really?’ Sometimes you go, ‘Stick to what you’re doing.’”

Whether the Celtic position will actually become available remains unclear. O’Neill’s future appeared uncertain after a third defeat in eight days, with the manager himself saying he would “genuinely reflect and see” — before adding with characteristic dry humour: “I’ll be 110 in two years’ time so it might be time to wrap it up.”

Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson has since indicated that O’Neill will stay in post, pledging the club’s support as it navigates a difficult run of results. The club’s annual accounts, released last month, showed a £4.8 million loss, compounded by failure to reach the UEFA Champions League league phase — an objective Nicholson described as a priority. Celtic remain active in the Europa League and are focused on a domestic title challenge.