The former Tottenham Hotspur striker is a leading candidate alongside Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane has been backed by ex teammate Jamie O’Hara to have the skillset needed for a successful tenure as Celtic manager amid links with the job in Glasgow.
The Scottish Premiership giants and Brendan Rodgers parted ways this week with veteran Martin O’Neill appointed on an interim basis. Celtic are now working on a permanent appointment.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou had been tipped to return but it now appears that Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna and Keane are frontrunners.
Robbie Keane a frontrunner for Celtic job
It could be hard for Celtic to persuade McKenna to leave his project with the Tractor Boys and, as a result, widespread reports on Thursday suggested that Keane is becoming an ever stronger candidate.
The 45-year-old is currently at Hungarian side Ferencvaros having previously worked with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Keane won the league title with both those sides and would be a familiar face for Celtic.
Keane spent a short loan spell at Celtic Park over the back end of the 2009/10 season, scoring 16 goals in just 19 matches. Given the former striker’s lack of coaching experience in a major European league, it would be a head-turning appointment.
The Irishman made 306 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur during his time at the club, scoring 122 goals. He won the League Cup in 2008 with the side.
Jamie O’Hara backs former Tottenham Hotspur teammate
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Spurs colleague Jamie O’Hara backed Keane to succeed at Celtic, should he get the job. O’Hara said: “Keano was an amazing captain, amazing person. As a leader in the dressing room in terms of standards being set. I know he’s been linked to the football club [Celtic]. He’s managing.
“Celtic fans probably think he’s not right for us yet, he’s not the guy. Listen, he’s gone and done his management where you wouldn’t expect people to go, he’s won the league, won the cup then gone to Hungary and won the league again. He’s won two league titles.
“We talk about Graham Potter at Ostersands. You say, who are Östersunds? Then he goes and gets a really good job. Don’t write Keano off. I know him from a player and as a captain, proper leader. Whether he’s right for Celtic yet I don’t know, but he’s going to be a big manager. He’s a top manager and a leader in the dressing room.”
Keane also had a stint at London outfit West Ham as a player. The striker was sent on loan to the Boleyn Ground in 2011 and made 10 appearances for the club, scoring two goals.
The Hammers had the option to extend the loan for two years if they avoided relegation that season, but the club didn’t survive the drop and Keane returned to Tottenham Hotspur.
In other news, Thomas Frank issues triple Tottenham injury update ahead of Chelsea.