Football Insider, quoting former Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness, says Robbie Keane is now a frontrunner for the Celtic job ahead of the 2026-27 season. Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, Wyness discussed the vacancy that opens once Martin O’Neill‘s interim spell ends this summer. O’Neill took over following Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous eight-game run, which itself followed Brendan Rodgers’ messy exit. Wyness called Keane a sensible choice, arguing the Irishman has the stature and political weight to calm the tension between a frustrated fanbase and a board under fire.
Robbie Keane to Celtic: A Smart Move or a Shortcut the Club Doesn’t Need?
Keane, 45-years-old, has managed Hungarian side Ferencvaros since January 2025. He’s bagged 44 wins from 73 matches and won the league last year; they currently sit top and have held their own in the Europa League. While Wyness originally expected Motherwell’s Jens Berthel Askou to get the nod, Keane has surged ahead in boardroom talks. Roberto Martinez is also in the mix at 6/1, with Askou trailing Keane at 3/1.
“He’s done well at Ferencvaros, and he’d be well received by the Celtic fans, a bit better than our old friend Wilfried Nancy.
“But I was surprised. I thought the Motherwell manager was nailed on, but no, Robbie Keane’s coming with a late run and I think he could well be the right guy for lots of reasons.
“Apart from being well received, he has got the stature and the understanding, and the common sense to handle the board and to put pressure on them as needed, because the fans will get behind him.
“Celtic’s still a very unhappy club deep down, a lot of division still within the club, and I think Keane, with the Irish connection, makes sense.
“I think that he is part of a unifying move that could work because it’s divisions that they’ve got to try and fix. Robbie Keane could be a sensible move, whereas Motherwell was more football-based.
“There’s more to the Robbie Keane appointment in terms of politics as well, so I think it probably is the right way to go.”
Is Keane the Healer, or Just the Easiest Name Available?
Celtic’s season has been a mess. They are on their third manager and trail Hearts in the title race with only weeks left. Hearts lead with 66 points, Rangers have 63, and Celtic sit third on 61. The defending champions need a perfect run-in to stay alive. This makes the next appointment vital; whoever takes over inherits a squad in need of surgery and a fanbase that has run out of patience.
Keane’s CV has highlights. His playing career was legendary, with 68 goals in 146 games for Ireland. As a manager, he’s proven he isn’t just a nostalgia act; he wins trophies. Keane could secure a third career league title this season. The Irish connection also matters for a club with such deep cultural ties to the country. A manager with built-in goodwill might buy himself a few months of peace.
However, the risks are clear. His experience is limited to Hungary and Israel; tough leagues, but a world away from the relentless pressure of Old Firm derbies and a total squad rebuild. Some fans have already voiced their opposition. The gap between dominating in Budapest and fixing a broken Celtic is massive.
So what is the reality? Celtic don’t need a legend; they need a builder. The romantic idea of Keane returning feels like a move designed for optics, not football results. My take is that the board won’t resist the easy politics of it. Keane will likely arrive in June. Whether he can actually handle a massive summer overhaul is a question that will take 18 months to answer.
