(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Wed 27 May 2026 8:15, UK

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Celtic have Robbie Keane on their list of managerial targets after he recently confirmed his resignation from his job at Ferencvaros, sources have told Football Insider.

The Bhoys have added the 45-year-old to their shortlist of potential targets, but it is understood that he is not currently one of the leading contenders to take the reins at Parkhead.

The club hierarchy are still planning to persuade Martin O’Neill to remain at the helm for next season, and sources have indicated that there are also other candidates who are ahead of Keane in the pecking order right now.

He is on the hunt for a new job ahead of next season, but it is currently more likely that he moves elsewhere, rather than returning to Celtic after a brief stint there during his playing career.

Celtic’s managerial situation is still shrouded in uncertainty heading into the summer, and it remains to be seen how O’Neill views his own future.

Celtic told they cannot make Martin O’Neill ‘mistake’

Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider last weekend that Celtic would be making a “mistake” by not keeping O’Neill in charge for next term, despite their previous plans.

The Hoops had previously intended to appoint a new permanent manager this summer, with their veteran boss only agreeing to return to the helm until the end of the campaign.

However, O’Neill’s success has now prompted a desire from the club to extend his tenure, and Wyness feels that they would be silly not to have him involved in some capacity in 2026-27.

He has urged Celtic to target stability by handing the Northern Irishman another year in charge, rather than taking the risk of bringing in a new face to lead the team.

The likes of Keane, Roberto Martinez and Jens Berthel Askou have all been heavily tipped to take over in recent months, but the solution could yet be more of the same for Celtic.

The club are happy to keep hold of O’Neill after his domestic double, but the ball appears to be in his court at the moment in terms of how his future will take shape.

O’Neill could yet take on fresh role at Parkhead

Wyness also told Football Insider that O’Neill could take on a new boardroom role at Celtic this summer, rather than staying on in the hot seat as manager.

He suggested that the Bhoys could make a sporting director or director of football position available for their club hero, allowing him to have a strong say in guiding the team into its new era.

That would allow O’Neill to take a step back from the rigours of everyday management, while also continuing to play a telling role in how the club progresses in the coming years.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t appear to be the club’s priority at the moment, as they are keen to keep him as manager if at all possible.