Roy Keane is not ruling out a return to management amid links with the Celtic job over the last week or so. The former Hoops midfielder was present for the Old Firm clash before the international break, present to watch his old club and support close friend and former colleague Martin O'Neill.
O'Neill has come under pressure amid a disappointing run of form for the Bhoys that has seen them lose three straight games, and while he will not be sacked, there are question marks over his future after he hinted he could walk away if he feels he can't fix the issues plaguing his side.
A departure does not look likely, especially given it hasn't happened a week into the international break, which would have been the ideal time for a transition if a new manager was to come in.
A departure at the end of the season is more likely, when O'Neill's contract expires, although he and Celtic have the option of a further year if they agree to it, which does not look likely.
Given his Celtic history and connection to O'Neill, Keane has been linked with the job, whether it becomes available now or at a later date, and the former Ipswich Town boss is not ruling out a managerial return at some point.
He said, as cited by the Manchester Evening News: "Strangely enough, at weekends when I’m watching games, there are teams I watch and you go, ‘I think I could go in there and do a job.’ But it’s mostly at weekends. It’s not through the week. It’s not Monday morning when I’m having my scrambled egg at the local cafe, just reading a paper.
"All these managers driving up and down the motorways and stresses. But yeah, I do. I think there’s always something there. The pilot light is still on for something. If someone gave me a phone call and told you, you know what? Who knows? It’s going to be unlikely."
It doesn't sound like Keane is particularly hungry for a managerial job, and there are plenty who are passionate about it. As we have covered in another story, Keane could be a good emergency option to fire up a flat Celtic side for the rest of the season should the club need one.
But it would be a mistake to appoint him ahead of a full season. He is a volatile short-term boss, not a long-term one, and he will inevitably leave the Bhoys searching for a new boss on short notice at some point in the future. Keane has also been out of the game since 2011.
Add us as a preferred source on Google