Celtic managerial hopeful Robbie Keane holds crisis talks with Ferencvaros squad | OneFootball

Celtic managerial hopeful Robbie Keane has admitted he has held crisis talks with his Ferencvaros squad after heavily criticising them in the aftermath of their weekend loss which is why Dermot Desmond should be going nowhere near him.

24/03/10 Premier League St Mirren V Celtic (4-0)ST Mirren Park – Paisley. Robbie Keane (centre). makes his way off the pitch as he and his Celtic team mates suffer defeat. Photo The Celtic Wiki

The ex-Hoops forward has emerged as a contender to return to Celtic as Brendan Rodgers’ successor, with Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna also among those being considered.

Keane – who represented Ireland 146 times at international level – is the head coach of the Budapest outfit, with former Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass serving as his assistant.

He led Ferencvaros to the Hungarian league title last season, but this year they have found themselves down in fifth place after managing only four wins from their opening 10 matches.

Keane was furious that his side failed to build on their impressive Europa League victory over RB Salzburg in Austria last Thursday, suffering a surprise 2-1 home loss to Zalaegerszegi.

Speaking via Glasgow Times, Keane said: “We held a long meeting with the players at the start of this week because that defeat was completely unacceptable. I could have substituted every single one of the players.

“I told the boys that if they can run and chase the opponent all the way in Europe, but they are not willing to do this in the Hungarian league, then they will not play for me. Our opponents scored a goal where they practically walked through our defenders.”

Robbie Keane, Head Coach of Ferencvaros (R), looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between FC Salzburg and Ferencvarosi TC at Stadion Salzburg on October 23, 2025 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

The 45 year-old added: “I expect only one thing from the team – to show commitment. And that was not visible. None of my players deserved to be on the pitch with that kind of performance. There was no running, no pressing in our game. I think that is unacceptable. I don’t want a team that only performs in the Europa League.”

“If that doesn’t change, then I’m looking for new players who are willing to play in the league as well. I want players who are worthy of wearing this shirt.”

Very few Celtic supporters who be happy with Robbie Keane getting the job with the Irish support in particular likely to be outraged.

Conor Spence

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

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