Sources: Celtic table Postecoglou offer as last-minute O'Neill plea to Desmond revealed
Celtic have submitted an offer to Japan-based manager Ange Postecoglou despite a last-minute plea from Martin O'Neill to appoint Roy Keane instead, Football Insider understands.
Talks to appoint Eddie Howe dramatically collapsed on Friday after two months and the Hoops have turned their attention to their favoured back-up option.
A Celtic source has told Football Insider that Postecoglu has already held extensive negotiations over becoming Neil Lennon's permanent successor.
The Hoops were always mindful of the possibility that terms with Howe could not be agreed and Postecoglu, 55, was willing to wait and see how that would play out.
Celtic released a statement yesterday evening explaining that they would "very shortly" announce a new manager after Howe negotiations collapsed "for reasons outside both his and Celtic’s control".
That paves the way for Postecoglu to join over the next week provided terms can be agreed and he can secure his release from Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos.
Celtic have now made their move for the experienced manager, whose 25-year managerial career has been spent mainly in Australia but also included spells in Greece and Japan.
A source has revealed that legendary former Celtic boss O'Neill has continued to press the credentials behind the scenes of his old number two Keane.
As recently as the last few days, O'Neill has suggested to Hoops powerbroker Dermot Desmond the fiery Irishman could galvanise the team after a dreadful campaign.
Keane was the favourite two months ago after this site broke the news on Thursday (25th March) that he was in talks with the board after being interviewed that week.
But he did not do enough to convince Desmond he should be handed such a high profile job after 10 years in the managerial wilderness.