Celtic fans are bracing themselves for the dreaded appointment of Robbie Keane as manager.
The idea has been floated for much of the season. His name was regularly mentioned in the autumn before it became clear that Paul Tisdale was insisting on Wilfried Nancy.
In January while managing Ferencvaros to a Europa League win over Danny Rohl Keane was fluttering his eye-lids to Celtic.
Over the last fortnight it has become very clear that Keane and Martin O’Neill are the only candidates for the job of managing Celtic.
Straight out of the limited contacts book of Dermot Desmond.
At the turn of the century Desmond moved in the same circles as the Manchester United owners. Through Alex Ferguson he was pointed in the direction of O’Neill.
Twenty-six years on football has changed dramatically. Unfortunately Desmond’s contact book hasn’t been updated. It largely consists of Irishmen and golfers. Such as Keane and O’Neill.
Robbie Keane served as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s manager during the 2023–24 season. The most intense period of the genocide in Gaza was taking place while he was in charge, and despite repeated calls for him to step down, Keane chose to remain in his position.
Maccabi Tel Aviv is also… pic.twitter.com/KawpahDhVM
— Antifa_Ultras (@ultras_antifaa) June 2, 2026
As recently as a year ago Desmond was still very much a background figure at Celtic.
Peter Lawwell was the main bogey-man. Over 20 years inside the club his power base was all encompassing.
Season 25/26 changed that.
THE TIDE TRULY TURNED WHEN DESMOND LAUNCHED HIS ALL IN ATTACK ON RODGERS
The evidence exploded on October 28 when Desmond produced an explosive statement slaughtering Brendan Rodgers.
Suddenly fans were joining the dots. The summer transfer window, Kairat Almaty and briefing against Rodgers to the Sun all fell into place.
Desmond wasn’t involved in any way with the attack delivered through The Sun. But it did fall on his watch.
He is the ultimate power at Celtic. No investigation took place into the report in The Sun, that newspaper remains a trusted media partner of Celtic.
Desmond deserves qualified credit for turning twice to Martin O’Neill, he salvaged the errors of undermining Rodgers and appointing Nancy.
O’Neill saved the day spectacularly. He deflected attention away from the multiple boardroom failings. Including another disastrous transfer window in January.
A domestic double was delivered. On May 23 at Hampden Celtic fans were able to smile, relax and get some enjoyment out of their football.
That feeling never lasted long. It very quickly became clear that nothing had been done towards appointing a competent manager since Nancy had been sacked.
The day before the Scottish Cup Final Keane conveniently resigned as manager of Ferencvaros.
If Dermot Desmond appoints Robbie Keane as Celtic boss it will be an act of unimaginable folly and stupidity.
Wilfried Nancy was a mistake.
This will be self-immolation.
The fans had a brutal season with a magical ending.
The very idea of Keane is a punishment beating for them.— Squinter (@squinteratn) June 2, 2026
The appointment of Keane as manager doesn’t split the Celtic support.
Any review of the issue would reveal at least 90% hostility to the prospect.
It isn’t simply an online issue. It’s not about keyboard warriors or Internet Bampots.
There is nothing appealing about Robbie Keane managing Celtic.
His managerial record is no more than competent.
His personal decisions are abhorrent to huge sections of the Celtic support.
And with that, that factor may be the clincher for Desmond.
KEANE- SURELY, SURELY NOT
Appoint Keane as an act of spite. To underline his power despite only having a 34% shareholding in the club. Desmond does not own Celtic despite the lazy claims of their media partners.
Desmond’s statement on Rodgers brought the spotlight onto the Non Executive Director.
The reaction from fans struck a nerve. Ross Desmond was sent to the AGM to hammer home a message to those anti-establishment fans.
Still the fans didn’t fall in line.
They rebelled further.
The relationship between the support and the board has never been lower.
Back in the nineties the Kelly’s and White’s had a few thousand campaigning in the dark against them.
In 2026 fans have the Collective, The Trust, Celtic Supporters Limited and the Celtic Supporters Alliance to channel their anger through.
By the end of this week we should know if Desmond is going to impose Keane or not.
Whatever the decision is a summer of turmoil lies ahead. After the fans mobilised last season they are better prepared than ever.
Next season has the potential to out do the 25/26 season.
Will Desmond go for the near nuclear Keane option? The support are braced for a battle. Getting out of jail with a double shouldn’t be the basis for Desmond to double down with a vindictive, unpopular appointment.
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“It is not his creed nor his nationality which counts – it’s the man himself.’” – Willie Maley.
Robbie Keane is neither welcome, nor fit, to be manager of Celtic Football Club. He stands in opposition to our values, our identity and our cause.
Sack the Board.
— The Wakes (@TheWakes) June 2, 2026
2 Comments
by Terence Nova
Where do you get 90% from…??…That’s utter bollocks I’d suggest…I’m in a group of 8 Celtic men…where 2 don’t want him…and the other 6 say…Give him a chance… But 90%….???
by Eddie McKelvies Capri
Anyone who thought Robbie Keane had not already been offered and accepted the Celtic Manager’s job BEFORE he quit his previous role has not been paying attention.
To me the sheer narrow mindedness of his selection is both galling and disturbing. As you say the markedly diminished Black Book of DD under “Irish and Celtic” must have only Robbie and Roy left? Or can we go back further to Niall Quinn? David O’Leary? Liam Brady? The paucity of the search is beyond comprehension. A professional business? My Arse!