Football Jun 03, 2026

Key questions answered as Celtic search for new boss with Robbie Keane, Martin O'Neill, Craig Bellamy and Roberto Martinez all considered

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Key questions answered as Celtic search for new boss with Robbie Keane, Martin O'Neill, Craig Bellamy and Roberto Martinez all considered

Celtic have made some - albeit slow - progress towards filling their managerial vacancy this week. But it's not completely straightforward.

While they have held constructive talks with Robbie Keane, the Martin O'Neill question still needs to be resolved.

The club legend came in twice last season to save the Hoops and delivered a double, winning the league in the most dramatic circumstances Scottish football has ever seen.

If O'Neill wants to remain as manager - and it's a big if - then the club are open to discussing a possible short-term deal. But the terms and conditions would have to suit both parties.

In the event he takes the job for a year, it could allow Celtic the opportunity to have a safe pair of hands in control of the football side, while they go about sorting things behind the scenes. The club still need to appoint a permanent chairman, head of football, head of recruitment and many other staff jobs.

Should he decide he does not have the appetite for a full campaign, then Celtic would still like him to stay in some capacity - possibly in the football operations side, or a consultancy and advisory role.

So, does O'Neill - at 74 years of age - have the appetite to do a full season as manager of Celtic? It's a big job to take on at the best of times, but this summer is likely to include a major squad rebuild, plus the Champions League play-off so early in the season.

But that remains the question that needs to be answered before principal shareholder Dermot Desmond can move on. The fact that it has taken so long could suggest that O'Neill himself isn't completely sure about what he wants to do. He hasn't ruled himself out, but he also hasn't made his stance clear that he is keen to do it.

If O'Neill does rule himself out or Celtic move on, then Keane is the clear frontrunner at this stage.

He has already picked his backroom team in Stephen Glass, Scott Brown and Jonny Hayes, if he were to be given the job.

Keane resigned from his role at Ferencvaros last month, after missing out on retaining the Hungarian league title. He did win the domestic cup competition last season, though.

He won the league in Hungary in his first season, following a successful double-winning spell in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2024/25.

While Keane was loved as a player for Celtic, his decision to take that job in Israel - at the height of the conflict in the Middle East - has polarised opinion among the Hoops support.

Keane defended his choice to see out the season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, stating he "had a duty to his team" and said it would've been unfair to his staff, who had moved to Israel with him. He stepped down from the job after winning the league in June 2024.

Desmond is a big fan of Keane and was instrumental in bringing him to Celtic as a player. Keane, 45, has built up a decent reputation in football management early in his career, winning league titles and trophies in two countries. He was on Tottenham Hotspur's three-man shortlist to replace Thomas Frank earlier this year.

Another manager still in the frame, for now, is Craig Bellamy. Celtic have admired his work as head coach of Wales for some time now.

He was seriously considered in October last year when Brendan Rodgers resigned, but he wanted to lead Wales into the World Cup play-offs.

At a press conference on Monday, and is preparing to lead them to Euro 2028 despite interest from several clubs, including Burnley.

But Your Site News understands that Celtic are still keen to speak to him to see if he is completely ruling himself out, or if he'd like to be considered for the role.

Roberto Martinez is another name who has been linked with the job, and the Portugal boss has to be seen as more of an outsider due to this summer's World Cup.

Celtic would ideally like to have a manager in time for pre-season, which may not be possible with Martinez.

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

England Women: Lauren James fit for Lionesses vs Spain as Sarina Wiegman's side target World Cup qualification

England Women: Lauren James fit for Lionesses vs Spain as Sarina Wiegman's side target World Cup qualification

Lauren James is fit to play in England's World Cup qualifier as the Lionesses reignite their rivalry with Spain in a bid to reach the tournament in 20...

Spain vs England: Lucy Bronze says rivalry makes teams 'stronger' as Lionesses eye statement win to seal 2027 World Cup spot

Spain vs England: Lucy Bronze says rivalry makes teams 'stronger' as Lionesses eye statement win to seal 2027 World Cup spot

You'd think both sets of players were getting sick of each other but it appears the battle between England and Spain remains as strong as ever."It's a...

Jan Paul van Hecke: Tottenham in talks with Brighton over defender and also could make move for Man City winger Savinho

Jan Paul van Hecke: Tottenham in talks with Brighton over defender and also could make move for Man City winger Savinho

Tottenham are in talks with Brighton over the signing of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.Reports elsewhere claim an opening bid from Spurs has been rej...

Khaldoon Al Mubarak: Man City chairman discusses Pep Guardiola's exit, new manager update and summer transfer window plans

Khaldoon Al Mubarak: Man City chairman discusses Pep Guardiola's exit, new manager update and summer transfer window plans

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has given an update on the club's search for a new manager following Pep Guardiola's exit.It promises to...

World Cup 2026: Why Harry Kane could play less minutes for England in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer

World Cup 2026: Why Harry Kane could play less minutes for England in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer

England have three strikers at this World Cup, and Harry Kane's replacements have never had such an important role.In this hottest of World Cups, the...

World Cup 2026: Why LGBTQ fan groups are not attending matches in the United States

World Cup 2026: Why LGBTQ fan groups are not attending matches in the United States

There’s a notable absence from this summer’s FIFA men’s World Cup that you might have missed. England's official LGBTQ supporters' group, Three Lions...