Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Mon 1 June 2026 14:18, UK

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Celtic‘s board members are set to meet with Robbie Keane on Monday evening as he is earmarked as the frontrunner to be their new permanent manager.

The Hoops are aiming to appoint a new full-time boss after Martin O’Neill’s interim spell in charge ended following their cup final win against Dunfermline.

Several candidates have been mooted to take over at Parkhead this summer, with Keane believed to be a leading contender as it stands.

The former Celtic striker left his role as Ferencvaros boss at the end of May after leading them to a Hungarian top-flight title and a cup triumph in 16 months at the club.

Celtic’s next manager is set to be hired soon as they enter a new era, with the Irishman now set for talks as he becomes the clear favourite for the job.

Robbie Keane set for Celtic managerial talks on Monday night

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Celtic’s board admires Keane after his impressive stints in charge of Ferencvaros and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

According to a new report from journalist Alan Nixon, via Patreon, Keane is set to speak with Celtic chiefs about becoming their new manager on Monday night.

The location and exact time of the meeting are unknown as it stands, but the ex-Hoops man is keen to take the job and hopes to impress his prospective employers.

If he does impress during the meeting, then the expectation is that he will be offered the chance to be their next boss.

Who are the other candidates in competition with Keane for the Celtic job?

Several big names are being linked with entering the Parkhead dugout, and one of the UK’s biggest bookmakers has Keane as the 7/2 second-favourite to be their boss for the start of 2026-27.

"Robbie Keane's obviously a huge name in football, but he's still fairly inexperienced in his managerial career" 🗣️@mstewart_23 and Alan Hutton weigh in on the managers being linked with Celtic 🍀

Presented by @sbk | 18+ | Please Gamble Responsibly pic.twitter.com/uFDBEnTtEp

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 26, 2026

O’Neill remains the clear favourite to remain in charge, at 1/5, but he has reiterated his desire to move on after leading them to the league and cup double.

Thomas Frank is another top candidate as it stands, at odds of 7/1, while Wales manager Craig Bellamy comes in as the fourth-favourite with one of the top bookmakers at 15/2 odds.