Eurosport journalist Dean Jones has been speaking on the latest edition of the Touchline Talk show to discuss the current situation surrounding Celtic’s search for a new manager.
Celtic appointed John Kennedy as their interim manager following the departure of Neil Lennon in February as a result of the Bhoys’ poor form which has since seen their city rivals claim the Premiership title.
One name which has recently been linked with the vacant permanent role at Parkhead is that of the former Celtic player, Roy Keane.
Jones has insisted the future Celtic manager is still unknown, however, it appears the club is heading down the path of an ‘old fashioned’ appointment.
He said: “The last update I got at the weekend was basically that, ideally, the club want to stay traditional with this. So that’s why the Keane link, for me, can’t be completely dismissed. Because I think they do like the idea of having a Celtic figurehead or somebody that’s relatable in that sense.
“Eddie Howe hasn’t got that. But Eddie Howe has got better coaching credentials. It seems to me like it’s going to be an old-fashioned appointment from what I’m told, like the people that are making this decision now are looking at traditional values rather than new-age coaching methods.
“But I don’t think that Roy Keane can be totally dismissed out of hand, because I think there is a temptation to go down that route.”
Would you like Roy Keane to be Celtic's new manager?
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Celtic were denied what would have been their 10th-consecutive Scottish crown as they watched their bitter rivals from the blue side of Glasgow lift the trophy.
Keane has been in management before, however, his last job as manager came back in 2011 when he was at Ipswich Town – since he has only been an assistant manager (via Transfermarkt).
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments…
Jones does not seem convinced by the prospect of appointing Keane as the Celtic manager and it appears some of their fans feel the same way. Although Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side were relegated from the Premier League last season, Jones clearly feels the young manager would certainly provide something different to what Keane likely would.
Keane’s 10 years since being a manager certainly has to be considered by the Celtic board who have a plethora of other managers who are both still in management and some who are recent without work.
In other news: ‘The absolute dream appointment’ – Pundit issues Celtic verdict on 47 y/o managerial candidate