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Scottish league champions Celtic have made progress in their search for a new manager this week, although the situation remains unresolved.
Martin O’Neill, who returned twice last season in caretaker roles and helped guide the club to a dramatic league and cup double, remains part of the discussion as the club consider their next steps.
According to talkSPORT, Celtic have held constructive talks with Robbie Keane over the vacancy and are prepared to appoint the former Liverpool striker as manager, with O’Neill potentially taking up a senior off-field role if he opts against continuing in the dugout.
Keane, who recently stepped down as Ferencvaros head coach, is in a strong position to take charge of his former club. The 45-year-old has previously won league titles in Hungary and Israel and also enjoyed a successful loan spell at Celtic in 2010, scoring 16 goals in 19 appearances.
Keane missed out on retaining the league title last season but did lift the Magyar Kupa before leaving Budapest. He is also believed to want Stephen Glass, Scott Brown and Jonny Hayes to join his backroom staff if he is appointed Celtic manager.
Celtic are still expected to explore other options, with Wales boss Craig Bellamy remaining a target. The former Liverpool forward reiterated his commitment to Wales earlier this week, but the Scottish champions could still test his resolve in the coming days.
Bellamy said: “Everything’s in place, I get completely backed and it’s going to give me the opportunity in the next two years to improve again.
“Links? I understand it but I don’t look too far. I love what I have here. I’ve been offered that elsewhere as well, but I have this here already.
“Wales gave me this opportunity and one or two might not have because I was conscious I haven’t managed before. Wales have given me this opportunity and I’m really grateful for that.
“I am ambitious, trust me. I want to earn loads and loads of money but there’s a time and now, at this present moment, it just doesn’t feel that time.”
“I couldn’t see it being fair for me to walk away. That’s not right,” added Bellamy. “I had one or two players ringing up like, ‘Is this true?’.
“Listen, we’re not going anywhere. We’re going again, we’ve got another two years. I’ve always wanted to do this role, so I don’t want to wish this away. I get great backing, you know, and that’s all I can ask for.”