Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Jack Dawson

Tue 2 June 2026 12:12, UK

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Celtic are still searching for their next manager for the 2026-27 campaign.

It appears it is now a two-horse race between Robbie Keane and Martin O’Neill, with the duo both having talks about the position on Monday.

The former had been the heavy bookies favourite after delivering a domestic double in May.

However, one bookmaker has now placed Keane back as the favourite at 8/13 odds after the recent meeting with Desmond.

Keane would be a controversial appointment at Celtic, having previously managed Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Robbie Keane now preferred Celtic candidate

The Irish Examiner reported on 1 June that Keane is now the preferred candidate for the Celtic job.

Desmond favours the 45-year-old for the post after their meeting on Monday.

O’Neill could remain at the club in an advisory capacity, but Keane is the man that the board want in the dugout for the 2026-27 campaign.

The former Hoops star is now a free agent after resigning at Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros after 18 months in charge.

Keane was relatively impressive during his time at the club, guiding them to two trophies, but he was unable to lift the league title in his final campaign.

He left Ferencvaros boasting a 62.2 per cent win rate, having also guided the club into the Europa League knockouts this season.

What would Celtic’s transfer plans be under Keane?

Football Insider exclusively revealed that Celtic will target high-profile players towards the end of the summer transfer window.

The board are set to wait and see if the club can qualify for the Champions League’s league phase before making ambitious moves in the market.

Celtic are set to take part in a playoff tie in August, which will decide if they will be competing in the Champions League of Europe League’s league phase.

They fell at the same hurdle last August against minnows Kairat Almaty, but will fancy their chances of progression to the league stage under a new manager this time around.

Keane’s record in Europe will give the club hope that they can overcome their opponents and progress into the next stage of the competition, which would give them some massive financial benefits going into the rest of the campaign.