Robbie Keane at centre of Celtic controversy amid talks over manager role | OneFootball

The prospect of Robbie Keane becoming Celtic manager has triggered protests and debate among supporters.

ExpressAndStar.com understands that the club is discussing the role with both Keane and Martin O’Neill, who led Celtic to the double.

Opposition centres on Keane’s season at Maccabi Tel Aviv and his coaching record. With parts of the support strongly pro-Palestine, graffiti and banners have appeared at Celtic Park. The Celtic Fans Collective says it is consulting supporters’ groups.

The 45-year-old briefly player-manager ATK in 2018, then assisted Republic of Ireland and Middlesbrough. After a three-year hiatus he worked under Sam Allardyce at Leeds in May 2023, moved to Israel and won the double with Maccabi. He joined Ferencvaros in January 2025, steering a seventh consecutive Hungarian title, then resigned last month after they finished second and won the Cup.

Sinn Féin’s Chris Andrew urged him to rethink a move to what he called a horrific and violent state. Keane said at the time he did not want to get into politics and was there as a football man.

After Hamas-led attacks on seven October, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza intensified criticism of his role. By June 2024, Gaza authorities estimated about 38,000 deaths, while a later independent study put it above 64,000. The FAI was criticised for inviting Keane, the Republic of Ireland’s record goalscorer, to present caps in November 2024.

Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond has driven hires such as Brendan Rodgers and O’Neill, and an AGM statement suggested fan opinion would not weigh heavily.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com