Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 9 April 2026 14:30, UK

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Robbie Keane is the favourite to take charge of Celtic this summer when Martin O’Neill hands over the reins to the next manager.

The Irishman is currently the manager of Hungarian side Ferencvaros, where he is in a closely-contested battle to lead his team to the top-flight title for the second consecutive year.

Keane spent half a season on loan at Celtic in 2010, scoring 16 goals in just 19 appearances across all competitions.

He could now finally be set to make his return 16 years later, with the Hoops in need of a transformational leader to guide the club from a difficult period.

Celtic’s manager has been a position shared by three different men this season, with decision-makers at Parkhead now needing to find the right one to take it permanently.

Robbie Keane to bring Franko Kovacevic with him

Celtic attempted to sign Franko Kovacevic in January, and were willing to offer around £2.6million to NK Celje.

The striker had only signed for the Slovenian side the summer before, but scored 25 goals in just 28 games before Europe started to pay attention.

With the help of Keane, Ferencvaros managed to convince the 26-year-old to move to Hungary, where he has continued to thrive.

Kovacevic has scored five goals in 12 games since making the switch, with all of those coming in the Hungarian top flight.

Should his manager move to Celtic Park, though, it should not be ruled out that the Croatian follows him this summer.

It is no secret that Celtic are in desperate need of a goal-scoring striker. Tomas Cvancara joined in January and has an option to buy in his loan deal from Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Czech striker has done little to suggest that option should be triggered, however, and the same can be said of Junior Adamu.

Kelechi Iheanacho has made a scoring return to action, but he has spent much of the season out injured and cannot be relied on.

What type of striker is Kovacevic?

Celtic are still struggling to replace Kyogo Furuhashi, who left to join Stade Rennais in January 2025.

The Japan international scored 85 goals in his 165 appearances and seemed to always be in the right place to get on the end of a cross, or capitalise on a through ball.

Kovacevic is that type of striker. He is full of technical quality, but it is his hunger for goals that has seen him net 30 in just 40 appearances across all competitions this season.

Celtic need that type of hunger up front, and in Keane, they would have the perfect man to utilise it.