Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Mon 1 June 2026 20:21, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Celtic fans are outraged that Robbie Keane could be their manager for the 2026-27 campaign.

The former Hoops striker has been linked to the role since Wilfried Nancy was sacked back in January.

After Keane resigned from his post at Ferencvaros last month, speculation only became more intense.

Now, The Scottish Sun on 1 June has reported that the job is a two-way battle between Keane and Martin O’Neill, with the former set to have talks with the board on Monday.

This has infuriated many Celtic fans as Keane edges closer to a controversial appointment.

Celtic fans clearly do not want Robbie Keane as manager

Keane has become a controversial figure at the Hoops in recent years despite a short and successful playing career at the club.

The 45-year-old’s decision to take charge of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv left a sour taste in many supporters’ mouths, given that many fans are supportive of Palestine.

This, combined with his poor domestic season in Hungary, where he was unable to lift the top-flight title, has seen many fans react negatively to the recent talks.

As a result, many Celtic supporters have taken to X to express their anger at the potential appointment this summer, and have urged the club not to appoint Keane this summer.

Robbie Keane was a fine Celtic striker, he is not the answer to our managerial search.

— ceern (@NotoriousBAG_) June 1, 2026

Robbie Keane being appointed manager would be nothing short of a disgrace from the Celtic board.

He is extremely unpopular with the fans due to his stint as maccabi manager and rightly so.

He couldn’t even win the league with fercenvaros never mind us

Get him in the bin

— k_07 (@K_h__1888) June 1, 2026

If he does get it the board are taking a huge flame thrower to the club

— Jbhoy (@JohnHug76199286) June 1, 2026

Terrible Choice.

— Martin McDonald (@BhoyMarty) June 1, 2026

Many fans were quick to also claim that O’Neill should be given the job this summer, with the 74-year-old’s domestic double proving to be a key factor.

Ideally someone new but MoN over Keane any day of the week

— Bhoy in Red 🇵🇸 (@BhoyinRed) June 1, 2026

None but MON out of they 2 and it’s not even close

— Kieran67Celtic (@Kieran67C) June 1, 2026

If this is the alternative we need to pray that MON is appointed. Why are all the jobs in the club always former employees? We can’t just keep accepting this.

— Brother Walf (@EuropeanSuper17) June 1, 2026

What does the future hold for Martin O’Neill at Celtic?

Former Aberdeen chief Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider that O’Neill could become Celtic’s sporting director if he does not become their manager.

Wyness believes that the Hoops need to keep O’Neill at the club in some capacity as delivering both the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish Cup this season.

The 74-year-old is a fan favourite at Celtic Park, and his return this season has helped ease the pressure on the board from the fans.

O’Neill could also assist the club in their managerial search, effectively looking for his successor in the role.

However, it remains to be seen who Celtic will opt to appoint, and what will happen to O’Neill is not given the manager’s role this summer.