Robbie Keane appointment still on the table as Celtic board eye Martin O'Neill 'handover'
The Celtic hierarchy haven’t given up on their admiration of Robbie Keane after the recent protests from the fans.
That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the supporters were wrong to protest so strongly against his potential appointment.
Club chiefs met with the Irishman to speak about the managerial position, and news of those talks prompted a letter to be set by a supporters group, as well as graffiti outside Celtic Park protesting after his previous stint in charge of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
However, despite all the outcry towards his potential involvement at Parkhead, Wyness has emphasised that the Celtic board have only shelved their desire to appoint him temporarily.
The club have now confirmed that Martin O’Neill will be staying in charge of the team for the 2026-27 campaign, while his new deal also includes the option for a further one-year extension.
That announcement has been met with popularity among the fans, but Wyness is in no doubt that this will not be the last of Keane’s involvement in the saga.
Celtic already lining up Martin O’Neill succession plan
Aberdeen’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Keane is already being lined up to succeed O’Neill at the end of his new deal.
The former boardroom man emphasised that while O’Neill’s contract does contain the option for an extra year, the demands of a full season may prompt him to step away early.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested that the Celtic board are already lining up a “handover” from the 74-year-old to pass the role on to Keane.
“This one disappointed me again, with the whole Green Brigade protests about Keane. I did think that Martin was always in a strong position, having delivered a double, to go back in to see Dermot Desmond and pretty much tell him what he wanted,” he said.
“Obviously, Martin's decided that he wants another year. But meanwhile, the pressure about the Keane situation was just wrong for me. It does appear the board have had their hand pushed again by the fanbase.
“I think from all I'd heard, they did like Keane a lot. Martin claims he's got the energy; he's coming off the big wins in the double, and that may cloud his judgment. It's a long season ahead for him.
“I would expect Keane to maybe come back and form a sensible handover. That would be the right thing to do in my view still.”
Celtic fans ready to ‘pounce’ on board once again
Wyness told Football Insider last week that a move to keep O’Neill in charge would see the Celtic board keep the peace with the fans for now.
The club hierarchy endured a tumultuous relationship with the supporters in 2025-26, most notably when their annual AGM was forced to be abandoned due to protests.
Wyness made it clear that while O’Neill’s stay is undoubtedly seen as positive news, the fans are still ready to “pounce” on the board at the first sign of anything going wrong next term.
He made it clear that there is still a “very unhappy” undercurrent at Parkhead at the moment, and he doesn’t expect it to clear up any time soon.